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A passion for chemistry
For Diane, chemistry can drive transformation. “What I f ind so
fascinating is to see how a small molecule can have such an
immense impact,” she tells us. At Petzl, she explores textile,
plastic and metal materials to ensure they are harmless.
She often f inds herself thinking “this contains such and such
a substance, but what is it there for? Is it really necessary,
indispensable or irreplaceable ? ”
There is one project that she loves to mention because its
success was the fruit of inter-departmental collaboration - they
replaced the water-repellent treatment for climbing ropes with a
more environmentally-friendly alternative. “This decision, which
aligns with new standards, illustrates our ability to anticipate and
innovate. ”
Education at the heart
of her mission
However, Diane is aware that scientif ic work is not enough -
education is essential. “We need to explain, disseminate and
support suppliers as they look for alternatives,” she explains.
Some challenges, such as diverse legislation or cultural
contexts, require a degree of f lexibility. “This is a new job for me. I
have had to learn a lot about materials and processes.”
In the space of a year, Diane has already led several small
revolutions behind the scenes. “This work, which is often
invisible, inf luences product design and reduces our ecological
impact,” she says, with humility. Her medium-term goal is to
improve anticipation and strengthen internal collaboration to
align each project with the company’s environmental objectives.
Restricted Substances:
A Continuously Evolving List
At Petzl, the RSL update was prompted by signif icant changes
in regulations and a better understanding of materials and their
composition. It is a “living” document, intended to be reviewed
on a regular basis, in order to ensure user safety and better
preserve the environment, in line with the data in our possession.
This update, led by Diane Castelain, involved 4 stages:
1 | An essential two-level monitoring role:
— Regulations: What laws and regulations apply? How have
they evolved in recent years? Finally, what new regulations are
coming up?
— Substances: What substances are excluded by particular
environmental certif ications or working groups? Why, in what
context, and according to what thresholds? Are our materials or
application sectors likely to be af fected by these substances?
2/ Summary of research
A list of substances was drawn up, with tolerated thresholds,
and information was obtained on the uses and origin of these
substances.
3 Approval
Internal departments legal purchasing quality RDCSR
were consulted for approval
4 Distribution
The updated list was sent to suppliers via the purchasing
and legal departments We are taking the time to explain the
importance of this document to everyone Diane answers their
questions and listens to their concerns to ensure that everyone
is on board
The Restricted Substances List, or RSL, is a kind
of ‘blacklist’ of chemicals and other substances
that are ‘dangerous’ or ‘of concern’. It is a
document for businesses that provides valuable
legal information on current bans and restrictions
on certain substances that are still contained in
consumer products worldwide.
Earlier in her career Diane spent ten years analysing soil and
water contaminated by industrial sites This work made me
aware of past disasters but also of the importance of prevention
rather than cure she explains At Petzl she thought that by
working upstream at source to reduce product impact she
would feel more useful Here I can take action right from the
product design stage ensuring that what we put into the hands
of users and into the environment is safe and respectful she
explains
Her f irst mission was to update the Restricted Substances List
RSL a central tool for ensuring compliance with international
standards which she has completely reworked This involves
more than 2000 products and requires juggling with technical
realities she points out
Diane Castelain is a chemist by training, and
has been Product Environmental Compliance
Manager for over a year.
She is meticulous and determined, and devotes
part of her time and infectious energy to talking
to suppliers to explain and convince them of her
approach We sat down to talk with her
Diane Castelain
Product Environmental
Compliance Manager
Acting to
persuade
“at source”
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2024
37 Impact Report Contents