Products

Generating quality Sunoco products is the core of our committment to product stewardship. Below are examples of how we begin the process.

European Regulation of Chemicals

Sunoco is actively addressing a new European law entitled Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of CHemicals (REACH). The law, which took effect on June 1, 2007, created one registration system for chemicals for all European Union (EU) member states.

REACH affects all supply chain companies marketing chemicals or products containing chemicals that are manufactured, imported, used as intermediates, or sold in the EU. Registration for chemicals and substances will begin in 2008 and then chemicals will be evaluated for a wide range of health and safety endpoints, whether physical, chemical, or biological.

REACH is intended to address the current inconsistencies in information available on chemicals, to minimize the costs of providing this data, and to take precautionary action on the most problematic of substances through authorization or restriction of applications.

Efforts to comply with REACH are currently underway, and include identification of EU-destined products, customers, and product applications. Sunoco has worked to identify EU destined products, customers and product applications. As registration packages are completed, long-range business plans will be developed to address authorization or restriction of Sunoco products in European markets. For questions on REACH, email us at REACH@sunocoinc.com.

Global Harmonization System (GHS)

Individual countries and organizations have developed regulations that define how hazard communication information for chemicals should be developed and communicated to chemical users. Though the regulations are similar, they often have significant differences. For example, the definitions of hazards, flammable, etc. may differ from one country to another. These differences result in companies creating different Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and labels for the same product, but sold in several countries.

The Global Harmonization System (GHS) is an effort to promote a common and consistent means for classifying chemicals and mixtures according to their health, environmental and physical hazards. This consistency will result in uniform MSDSs and labels throughout the world. However, the U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) must revise current Hazard Communication Standard requirements before GHS can be adopted in the United States.

Sunoco is currently monitoring this issue to ensure that we will be prepared to implement any necessary changes to our hazard communication documents.

Review of Refinery Process Streams

A major project was undertaken to review the composition and physical properties of the various process streams within Sunoco refineries. Teams composed of process engineers, industrial hygienists and product safety representatives identified the intermediate streams. An analysis of each stream was conducted to validate its composition and physical properties.

Product Safety specialists then reviewed the information and performed a hazard determination on each stream. Any affected MSDSs were then updated as appropriate.

Product Reviews

This review allows us to assess that the appropriate control measures are in place and facilitates prioritization for additional review. This review fulfills one of the requirements for certification by the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care Management System and RC14001. Product Technical Guidance Manuals can be accessed by clicking here.

New Chemical Purchase Reviews

Health, environment, and safety reviews are conducted on each new chemical before it is approved for purchase, typically about 30 per month for the refineries. Since each review involves professionals from 4 to 5 different departments, a better, streamlined method was desired. During 2007, the Chemical Approval Network (CapNet), a computer-based program, was created by Sunoco's computer systems group. CapNet enables the efficient review of a chemical by providing electronic forms, automatic email communication and centralized electronic storage. The program has made it possible for personnel to complete the reviews in less than half the time of the previous paper-form method.

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