The Phthalate Esters Panel (the Panel) of the American Chemistry Council is composed of all major manufacturers and some users of the primary phthalate esters in commerce in the United States. Panel members include: BASF Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, ExxonMobil Chemical Company, and Ferro Corporation. Teknor Apex Company, a major user of the materials, is an associate member.

Since its inception in 1973, Panel members have demonstrated their commitment to the safe use of their products by sponsoring health, safety and environmental research on phthalate esters. Results of Panel-sponsored research are routinely shared with government agencies around the globe in order to support a comprehensive and thorough assessment of the safety of their products. Panel research and conclusions are peer-reviewed and published in respected scientific journals. Phthalate esters produced by Panel members have been subjected to extensive health and environmental scrutiny by both independent scientists and national and international government bodies. Since its inception, the Panel has funded more than $15 million dollars of research, excluding research conducted by individual companies.

The Panel is committed to continued research and testing of phthalate esters and will continue to work closely with government agencies so that these materials can continue to be used safely in a wide array of products consumers find valuable in everyday life.

Panel Member Companies

BASF Corporation
www.basf.com/businesses/chemicals/plasticizers

Eastman Chemical Company
www.eastman.com

ExxonMobil Chemical Company
www.exxonmobilchemical.com

Ferro Corporation
www.ferro.com

Last Updated: September 11, 2002