Sustainability
Business Model & Innovation Index
Product Design for Use-phase Efficiency (SASB Code: RT-CH-410a.1)
Performer (meets basic sustainability standards on the market): ~€32 billion
BASF Report 2019: Integration of Sustainability, p. 38
Comment/Additional Information
By the end of the 2019 business year, BASF had conducted sustainability analyses and assessments for 96.3% of its relevant portfolio of more than 50,000 specific product applications, accounting for €51.9 billion in sales. Since 2004, we have participated in the international non-profit organization CDP’s program for reporting on data relevant to climate protection. BASF achieved a score of A– in CDP’s rating for 2020, thus attaining Leadership status again. Companies on the Leadership level are distinguished by factors such as the completeness and transparency of their reporting. They also pursue comprehensive approaches in managing the opportunities and risks associated with climate change as well as emissions reduction strategies to achieve company-wide goals.
More information on our Sustainable Solution Steering methodology:
Analyzing our products’ contributions to the sustainability needs of our customers’ value chains
Safety & Environmental Stewardship of Chemicals (SASB Code: RT-CH-410b.1)
Accounting metric
(1) Percentage of products that contain Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) Category 1 and 2 Health and Environmental Hazardous Substances,
(2) Percentage of such products that have undergone a hazard assessment
Information
We maintain and evaluate environmental, health and safety data for our substances and products in a global database. This information is updated continuously. The database forms the basis for our safety data sheets, which we make available to our customers in around 40 languages. Our global emergency hotline network enables us to provide information around the clock. We train and support our customers in fulfilling their industry or application-specific product requirements. In associations and together with other manufacturers, BASF is pushing for the establishment of voluntary global commitments to prevent the misuse of chemicals.
Based on the EU chemicals regulation, REACH, similar chemicals regulations are being introduced around the world, for example in South Korea and Turkey. We reached important milestones in both countries in 2019. In South Korea, BASF successfully completed the pre-registration phase by the end of June. In Turkey, we submitted several thousand pre-registrations during the pre-registration phase, which is still ongoing. In Europe, our REACH activities continue to be determined by EU authorities’ decisions on dossier evaluations. We are also required to continually update our registration dossiers. BASF is working together with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on a project to improve the quality of REACH dossiers. BASF was one of the first companies to join this industry-wide initiative.
Source
Safety & Environmental Stewardship of Chemicals (SASB Code: RT-CH-410b.2)
Accounting metric
Discussion of strategy to (1) manage chemicals of concern and (2) develop alternatives with reduced human and/or environmental impact
Information
(1) BASF supports the implementation of initiatives such as the Global Product Strategy (GPS) of the ICCA. GPS is establishing worldwide standards and best practices to improve the safety management of chemical substances and to support governments in the introduction of local chemical regulations. We are also involved in initiatives such as workshops and training seminars in developing countries and emerging markets. In 2019, these included the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) workshop on regulatory cooperation in Vietnam and a Responsible Care workshop in Argentina.
(2) In addition, we actively steer our product portfolio toward sustainability via our Sustainable Solution Steering methodology. By the end of the 2019 business year, we had conducted sustainability analyses and assessments for 96.3% of our relevant portfolio of more than 50,000 specific product applications, accounting for €51.9 billion in sales. If, during re-assessment of our portfolio, we identify products with substantial sustainability concerns, we classify these as “Challenged.” We develop and implement action plans for all products in this category. These action plans include research projects and reformulations to optimize products, or even replacing the product with an alternative.
To systematically align our portfolio with contributions to sustainability, as of 2018, we will phase out all Challenged products within five years of initial classification as such at the latest. We strive to offer products that make a greater contribution to sustainability in their area of application to live up to our own commitments and meet our customers’ demands. This is why our Sustainable Solution Steering method is used in areas such as our research and development pipeline, in business strategies as well as in merger and acquisition projects.
Source
BASF Report 2019: Product Stewardship, p. 113
BASF Report 2019: Integration of Sustainability, p. 38
Comment/Additional Information
More information on our Sustainable Solution Steering methodology:
Analyzing our products’ contributions to the sustainability needs of our customers’ value chains