Hazardous materials policy : from cradle to grave or entire lifecycle

This section sets out seven  big issues to consider for hazardous materials from cradle to grave or entire lifecycle. Given the world wide concerns about the environment think of recent eco-toxic/radioactive  examples like the Japanese nuclear plant, BP oil leak (see environmental discussion and examples). So as a supply management leader, you are supposed to be abreast of 7  issues as under ( except issue 5 all others are included in the bridge exam). These are:

1. What are the laws relating to storage,handling documentation of hazardous materials?  See US Federal Resource  Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
2. Risk management for hazardous materials has three aspects viz. (a) legal or (b) contractual - can you really transfer all responsibility legally to the supplier when hazardous situations arise?  What would a jury do? (c) Insurance - if you can spell out the risk - you can insure it and that's an option.
3. Ethical issues for supply managers include avoiding suppliers who have problems with hazardous materials handling.
4. Audit issues include MSDS ( Material Safety Data Sheets).
5. Your organization's values and policies.
6. ISM Principles of Social Responsibility. Also see some more general CSR examples here.
7. Customer driven requirements - i.e. some customers may want you to be more responsible for hazardous materials and you as supplier will need to comply.