What is product stewardship?

Product stewardship might be described as the "next step" in Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) management, a step that broadens SHE management beyond the factory gate to include wider issues such as security. In many respects, it is about putting into place responsible business management processes across a product's lifecycle.

In this day and age, we can no longer ignore the role that fertilizers play in modern agriculture.  It is now widely-acknowledged that without fertilizers, mankind would be unable to feed an ever-increasing and more demanding population.

Moreover, governments and modern societies are becoming more demanding of business and industry – and it is becoming increasingly clear that industry should take greater responsibility not only for how its products are produced, but also for how they are developed, sourced, stored, transported and used.

In some parts of the world, these processes are already regulated, while in others their regulation is pending or is currently under review. Nevertheless, global fertilizer producers can stay one step ahead of regulation with proactive product stewardship management.

 

Through risk mitigation and the optimization of business processes, Product Stewardship generates a virtuous cycle of benefits for the company, its employees, community and business partners.

  Social and Environmental Advantages

Workers benefit from safer working conditions. Communities and society at large are safer. The environment is better protected throughout the product lifespan. These benefits are indeed self-evident, however there are also clear business advantages as well.

Business Advantages

Public Image: The fertilizer sector has suffered from longstanding misperceptions on a number of fronts, including a lack of acknowledgement of the key role fertilizers play in global food security.
Policy: Make no mistake, increased regulation is on the rise around the world and across industries. This initiative offers participants the chance to stay one-step-ahead of costly regulation. By remaining proactive in more efficient self-regulation, the industry is acting as a trailblazer. With such an approach, the industry is driving the development of responsible, start-to-finish, product stewardship.
Bottom Line: There are convincing economic benefits to product stewardship management. Safer, more efficient workplaces and practices lead to increased productivity. Risk mitigation leads to fewer incidents, thus reducing costly remedial expenses. Furthermore, proven safe, secure and sustainable levels of business performance (supported by recognised, third party accreditation) can be advantageous in a variety of circumstances including during government and business negotiations, public relations with stakeholders and other industry partners, tendering, or attracting private investment.