Kimberly-Clark’s Safety of Products and Services policy commits us to providing products and services that do not compromise public safety.

As one of the world’s leading health and hygiene companies, we are committed to protecting consumer health and safety. Our scientists have been conducting product safety assessments for many years. These assessments cover the complete life-cycle of a product: research and development, manufacture, sale, use and disposal. Safety information for our products and components is held electronically and is readily retrievable.

We begin the safety assessment for each product by reviewing the safety of each individual component. We consider the concentration and application of the component in the product, consumer exposure to the component during product use, and residual levels of other materials that may be present in the component. We then evaluate and test the finished product to determine its overall safety. This comprehensive safety testing and scientific review assures consumers that our products are safe.

We also subscribe to academic and public databases of toxicological information to support our safety assessments. Many of our experts lead industry committees, bringing us together with industry peers to apply the highest human and environmental safety standards industry-wide. Our scientists also participate in regular training to keep up to date with the latest scientific practices and thinking related to risk assessment. Professional training is also a requirement in each of our scientist’s annual individual development plan.

Consumer access to safety information

Part of our consumer service organization’s role is to maintain an extensive global database of information on our products. When consumers who purchase and use our products have a question regarding safety, our consumer service representatives are able to quickly and accurately respond to their concerns.

REACH

The European Commission has implemented a regulatory framework for the management of chemicals, known as REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization and Restriction of Chemical substances). This regulation is designed to ensure that companies identify and manage chemical substances in a consistent and timely manner to increase protection for consumers, employees and the environment.

REACH requires all companies that manufacture and import chemicals in Europe to gather and pre-register information for inclusion in a central database. It also calls for the evaluation and authorization of hazardous and persistent chemicals for each particular end use. As a user and importer of chemicals, rather than a manufacturer, we have been working with our suppliers to assure that the chemicals we use are properly pre registered.

K-C has established a team of research scientists, regulatory experts, supply chain leaders, legal experts, product development engineers and information technology specialists to manage REACH implementation and make sure all corporate activities comply with its requirements.

Print this page