What is Product Stewardship for Fertilizers? in Europe

Q1    What is Product Stewardship for Fertilizers?

A1    Product Stewardship is ensuring that fertilizers and their raw materials, additives and intermediate products are processed and manufactured, handled, stored, distributed and used in a safe way with regard to health, occupational and public safety, environment, and security. This includes supplying plant nutrients which satisfy society's requirements to safe food production and animal feed.
   
Q2    For whom is the Fertilizers Europe Product Stewardship Program intended?

A2    The Fertilizers Europe Product Stewardship Program is primarily intended for Member Companies of Fertilizers . However, the program addresses the whole Product Life Chain meaning suppliers, contractors, distributors and customers are involved. They should equally be involved.

   
Q3    Is Product Stewardship new?

A3    No, Product Stewardship is not new. Several chemical companies do have a Product Stewardship in place. A good example of a Product Stewardship Program is that of the Chemical Industry Association in the UK, a program called PS GO.
   
Q4    Why this sudden need for Fertilizers to have such a Product Stewardship Program in place?

A4    After 4 major accidents in the Fertilizer Industry in the years 2001 and 2002 this has been enough. The Industry cannot afford more. Members of Fertilizers  should have a program in place and comply with this program. Fertilizers Europe has always been good in producing leaflets and guidance documents but the emphasis should go to the implementation. The Product Stewardship Program puts all SHE activities of Fertilizers Europe in a framework. Members of Fertilizers Europe should comply with this Product Stewardship Program.
   
Q5    How can one check compliance of the Members of Fertilizers Europe to the Product Stewardship Program?

A5    Fertilizers Europe together with an independent third party (DNV) has developed a compliance system consisting of:

1. An audit questionnaire. The questionnaire is designed to assist the Members of Fertilizers Europe in identifying gaps and possible improvements to be made in their current Product Stewardship activity. A weighting is introduced to facilitate a simple progress reporting and for establishing improvement targets. The questionnaire can either be used for a self-assessment or as a basis for an independent third party auditing.
2. Inspection checklists developed by an independent third party (DNV). DNV and Fertilizers Europe have made Inspection Check Lists to validate that day-to day operations are in conformance with the Product Stewardship Program of Fertilizers Europe.

The implementation of the PS program by Member Companies of Fertilizers Europe will be audited on a regular basis by an independent third party. The results of the audit will be assessed by the Board of Fertilizers Europe. Members not satisfying the requirements of the Board will have to develop an improvement program.

  
Q6    Do most of the Companies not already have ISO and IMAS certification and will there not be a duplication?

A6    Some duplication is unavoidable and several questions will therefore be readily answerable. This duplication is, however, considered necessary in order to catch all product related issues. In addition the checklists cover topics of importance to our Industry not necessarily covered by ISO and IMAS.
   
Q7    Does the inspection checklist cover all day-to-day operations?

A7    No, the inspection checklist does not cover all day-to day operations since that is a lot. Fertilizers Europe has selected 5 main areas of greatest concern at the moment:

1. Inspection of storages.
2. Inspection of Transportation.
3. Inspection of contractor management at manufacturing site.
4. Implementation of Fertilizers Europe Guidances
5. Security.

This list can be changed or extended covering a larger part of the life cycle next year.
   
Q8    Who is going to perform the inspections?

A8    The inspection will be performed as part of the audit by an independent third party in collaboration with product stewards of the company involved.
   
Q9    What will happen with the audit results?

A9    The result of the audit will be reviewed by the Board of Fertilizers Europe.