Product Stewardship

Sika’s assessment and improvement of the health and safety impacts of its products is state-of-the-art. The company utilizes global Product Compliance software with one common database, product stewards for all finished goods categories, trainings for all local users, benchmarking, and quality control. Sika strives to avoid any negative impact on customer health and safety through its products. Precautionary measures are taken to mitigate risks related to product safety.

Sika issues documentation about occupational safety, how to wear safety equipment, and the safe transportation and storage of goods. All product information, specifically Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and Product Data Sheets (PDSs), are reviewed regularly. Information on the SDS of individual products can be found on the website of the local Sika companies. 

Sika products must be accompanied by an SDS in compliance with the country’s legal requirements and in the required local language when distributed or sold. Packaging and labeling must meet local compliance standards, as well as the Sika branding and labeling rules. The company creates, maintains, and publishes SDSs, using the global Product Compliance System. To safeguard legal compliance and customer safety, the requirement for all local Sika companies is that the SDSs shall not be older than two years. This is monitored by Global Regulatory & Product Compliance and reported quarterly to all responsible Area Managers, General Managers, Regional Operations Managers, EHS Managers, and Product Stewards.  

A central Chemical Regulatory and Product Stewardship Department (the Global Regulatory & Product Compliance team), including a corporate REACH team, coordinates all corporate activities, covering the requirements of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), Classification, Labeling and Packaging (CLP), national or regional substance registration and notification schemes, as well as other relevant chemicals legislations to ensure the protection of human health and the environment from risks that can arise from chemicals.

Sika has a comprehensive risk management system structured at Group level which is effective for all its subsidiaries. Risks are identified at an early stage and integrated into strategic decision-making processes.

In the due diligence process for acquisitions, the teams involved, such as EHS, Regulatory & Product Compliance, and Legal, collect information including substance and material management, substances of concern, and environmental compliance. Potential acquisitions can be stopped if the analysis of a company’s product portfolio does not meet the necessary requirements.

The company aims to reduce substances of concern from products and production processes wherever possible. These types of substances can be fundamental to achieving the technical requirements such as loadbearing strength and longevity of buildings and structures.

Sika has established the Sika Substance Risk Management (SSRM) process to further accelerate progress in this important area and to continue to review and evaluate the use of substances of concern. This process, which is applied at Group level, supports the organization in the assessment and treatment of substances with increased risk potential based on the hazard classification of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). This internal process complements local legal requirements and underscores Sika’s uncompromising commitment to quality, safety, and environmental sustainability.

The Sika Substance Risk Management (SSRM) Policy regulates the use of defined hazardous substances in Sika operations and in products. Depending on the category, Sika prohibits or restricts the use of these substances in products above a defined concentration limit. Their use in production is subject to specific permits. Sika has defined two categories according to GHS as a basis for the assessment of the SSRM:

• Category 1: substances which shall not be used in any products sold (both manufactured and trading products), materials handled in manufacturing plants, or in the supply chain. Only substances used for R&D purposes are exempt.
• Category 2: substances which may be used in controlled manufacturing processes if the defined concentration limits are not exceeded in the final product.

In 2023, Sika established its own priority list for “Substances of Concern”. This list is updated every year and must be checked for replacement by alternative substances in all processes defined in the Sika Product Creation Process (PCP) and processes of Regulatory & Product Compliance. The list builds on the two SSRM categories described above and on substances which are known as persistent in the environment.

Furthermore, the SPM complements the SSRM process, ensuring that products positioned as sustainable solutions are not only in compliance with SSRM, but consider the most relevant global regulations and frameworks, both current and upcoming, regarding hazardous substances. SPM guarantees compliance of product developments with both regulations and internal company policies, such as the SSRM. Integrated into the Sika Product Creation Process (PCP), SPM improves transparency and allows early and relevant decision making.

At supplier level, it is important that the chosen suppliers are committed to the same standards as Sika. Suppliers must operate in full compliance with all laws, regulations, and international standards applicable both to their operations and products. Suppliers shall provide Sika with all required product safety and labeling documentation and ensure full compliance with all applicable product safety regulations, in particular concerning dangerous goods and hazardous substances.