Product Responsibility
Senior Laboratory Specialist Isabelle Leglise of Baxter's research and development facility in Baxter Alliance Park, Belgium, examines the seals on Baxter's triple-chamber container, used to provide intravenous nutrition to patients who cannot receive adequate nutrition through other means.
Baxter works to address environmental and social issues across the product life cycle. These range from sustainable design and bioethics during research and development, to efficient use of energy and materials during manufacturing and transport, to appropriate product advertising and promotion, and finally, responsible repair, refurbishment and recycling at product end-of-life.
Quality and safety are imperatives across the product life cycle. Baxter has programs to ensure high standards in both of these areas, combined with a history of innovative practices.
The following graphic illustrates sustainability issues and Baxter's approach at each stage of the product life cycle.
Sustainability Issues Across the Product Life Cycle
R&D and Design
| Issue | Approach |
|---|---|
| Sustainable Design | Product Sustainability Review > Life cycle assessment > Device Center of Excellence |
| Bioethics | Bioethics Policy and position statements |
| Clinical Trials | Clinical Trials Policy > Various external standards > Independent Ethics Committee/Institutional Review Board |
| Animal Welfare | Baxter Global Animal Welfare Committee > Various external standards > Replace, reduce and refine (3Rs) the use of animal testing |
Materials Use
| Issue | Approach |
|---|---|
| Materials Selection/ Reduction/Innovation Restricted Materials |
Product Sustainability Review > Supplier screening > Evaluation of chemicals of concern > Product stewardship software application |
Manufacturing
| Issue | Approach |
|---|---|
| Environmental Impacts Employee Health and Safety |
EHS program and goals > ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 management systems > Audits > Rigorous compliance > Proactive reduction of natural resource use > Hazard identification and risk assessment > Near-miss reporting |
Product Transport
| Issue | Approach |
|---|---|
| Environmental Impacts of Transport | Intermodal transport and modal shift > Increased capacity utilization > Technology innovation > Renal truck fleet > Pallet programs > Environmentally responsible transportation partnerships |
Packaging
| Issue | Approach |
|---|---|
| Minimizing Packaging Materials Selection | Packaging initiatives (materials reduction and substitution) |
Product Use
| Issue | Approach |
|---|---|
| Advertising and Promotion | Compliance with promotional regulations companywide > U.S. and international policies for interactions with healthcare practitioners, medical institutions and patient organizations |
| Safe Handling and Use | Material Safety Data Sheets > Clinical education |
| Access to Healthcare | Product development (including "Base of the Pyramid" initiatives), strategic philanthropic giving and product donations |
Product End-of-Life
| Issue | Approach |
|---|---|
| Responsible Recycling and Disposal | Product take-back, repair and recycling programs > Minimization of customer waste > Industry collaborations |
