Our approach

MOL Group's commitment to product stewardship is also included in the HSE management system, which summarizes ways to minimize, manage and communicate the life-cycle health, safety and environment (HSE) impacts associated with MOL Group's products, services and processes.

Product stewardship helps to assure compliance with product liability legislation and product regulations, as well as reducing exposure to other claims through utilization of best practice techniques. The European Union’s ’command and control’ approach has resulted in the passing of strict regulations (such as REACH – Registration, Evaluation, Authorization of Chemicals) covering a large number of elements of product stewardship. MOL Group fully complies with the requirements of REACH Regulation. Under this regulation MOL provides hazard data, use and exposure information, conducts risk assessments and undertakes risk mitigation measures for the chemicals we utilize in commerce and import into the EU in accordance with the given deadlines.

Research and product development

Risk assessments are conducted for new products and services and processes prior to marketing or distribution to identify HSE hazards and risks associated with normal use and foreseeable misuses. Periodic reassessments are done on the basis of adverse effects reported or experienced. Our main goal is to improve the knowledge of potential impacts that chemicals may have on the health of humans, wild-life and the environment. It is also important to ensure informed decision-making and improve public confidence with decisions based on a scientific understanding of risks. Dangerous substances are managed according to the requirements of the related legislation. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available in accordance with legislative and customer requirements.

Purchasing and product sourcing

We require that our suppliers and business partners comply with environmental and safety regulations.
We ensure that this is checked during our supplier audits.

• We devote extra attention to compliance with environmental regulations in purchasing processes.
• We request that producers submit safety data sheets and other information regarding certain products listed in the regulations in accordance with the rules set forth under law. These sheets are stored and accessible on servers. Only materials accompanied by such documents may be used or consumed on company sites. 
• To minimize the volume of waste generated, we require the uniform packaging of purchased substances if possible, and a reduction in the volume of packaging. 
• Before selecting a supplier, we verify compliance with legal provisions (existence of licenses and permits) and perform validity checks. The failure of a supplier to renew a license or permit (for instance for the transportation of hazardous waste) triggers contract termination (which is also stipulated in supply contracts).
  

Product manufacture

We continuously strive towards more efficient use of natural resources and minimizing emissions at the source. Our goal is that MOL’s products will be used and produced in a way that leads to minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment, based on sound risk assessment and risk management, and following a precautionary approach.

Product packaging and storage, marketing and sales, transport and distribution and customer service

All issues related to customer service, customer satisfaction and feedback, as well as performance monitoring and the consequent integration of results into development projects, belong to the sphere of Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

In Retail, material safety datasheets for all types of fuels sold at our filling stations are available at filling stations and on an internet site. New global operative regulations have been issued by Retail in order to unify processes in MSDS availability in all countries where MOL Group operates a filling station network.

Re-use, recycling and product disposal

Our goal is cleaner production and waste prevention - therefore reduction of waste is essential in the last stage of the life-cycle. The most efficient and effective point to reuse waste and encourage reuse, reduction and recycling is at the product development stage. It is at that point in the product’s life cycle that decisions can be made to minimize the environmental impact of the product. We work with customers to help them dispose of any product-related wastes safely. In order to reduce the impact of used plastics on the environment in the Petrochemicals division we have started research on the production of biodegradable plastics. Furthermore, MOL and TVK work on re-cracking plastic waste in cooperation with independent institutions.