In an article published on March 30, 2017 the non-profit organization International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec) informes that, as of April 1 2017, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) will include a more comprehensive assessment of corporate chemicals management strategies as part of performance evaluation.
This development, realized in a collaboration between ChemSec and the RobecoSAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) program, reflects the investors’ increasing attention on chemicals and sustainability issues. Additional data to be provided by companies will include “percentage of products that contain substances regulated as hazardous, are of international concern, or may become regulated in the future as referenced by ChemSec’s SIN List of hazardous substances.” In addition, more detailed information regarding recycled, sustainably sourced, or bio-based materials may be requested “in order to satisfy the growing investor interest in circular economy strategies.”
ChemSec concludes that “the real corporate sustainability leaders will now be able to show their progressive, forward-thinking and proactive sustainability efforts in the so far hidden chemical management area.” A more detailed discussion is provided in the accompanying article by Anne-Sofie Andersson, executive director of ChemSec, who views the “stock market’s increased attention on toxic chemicals” as a “strong incentive for companies to increase their chemicals management efforts, since it will now be difficult to obtain a top position in the prestigious DJSI rating if you don’t know the chemical content of your products.”
Read more
ChemSec (March 30, 2017). “Investor analysis of chemicals management increases thanks to ChemSec and RobecoSAM.”
Anne-Sofie Andersson (March 30, 2017). “Why the stock market’s increased attention on toxic chemicals is a big thing.” ChemSec
ChemWatch (April 6, 2017). “Chemicals management added to Dow Jones sustainability indices.“
