Products
Governance
Trelleborg’s commitment with regard to product liability is generally governed by the Group’s Code of Conduct (Product quality and product safety) and the Environment, Health and Safety Policy. Each business area is in charge of product development and the associated product-responsibility matters and, since requirements differ considerably between various customer and product segments, and consequently, it is important that these matters are adapted to each market. Ultimate responsibility is borne by each of the business area Presidents. Each line manager is responsible for ensuring that personnel with responsibility for these matters have the relevant training and access to current information on laws and other requirements, in addition to market and customer-specific requirements and systems.
Product development with responsibility
When developing new products, consideration is always given to legislative and customer requirements as well as environment, health and safety aspects in the manufacturing stage and in the user stage where relevant. The development work is generally conducted in close cooperation with the customer.
Many of Trelleborg’s products are used in demanding environments, which places considerable demands on input materials. To achieve the desired properties, various additives are used. Some of the substances used are classified as environmental and/or health hazards. Within Trelleborg, work is continuously conducted to gradually substitute these substances with alternatives that are better in terms of the environment and health. Examples of materials that have been partially or entirely substituted are substances containing hexavalent chromium, lead, cadmium, toluene, polyaromatic oils and solvent-based substances for surface treatment.
The overwhelming share of the Group’s products entail very limited risks in their application. However, the Group also develops products and systems for certain safety-critical environments. Trelleborg conducts extensive safety efforts regarding products manufactured for particularly demanding environments or which otherwise entail increased risk.
Product information
Trelleborg provides product information in the form of labeling, safety data sheets, IMDS declarations and environmental declarations that meet the requirements set by the respective customer or market. Many customers have specific requirements with regard to the products’ environmental characteristics and input components, such as the automotive and construction industries. Industry or customer-specific limitation lists also exist for chemicals. Under the EU directive on the end life of vehicles (the ELV directive), requirements are placed on the recyclability of components included in cars. Therefore, in accordance with the requirements from world-leading car makers, Trelleborg supplies environmental declarations as per the Global Automotive Declarable Substances List (GADSL) in the shared International Material Data System (IMDS) for all products supplied in this segment.