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Questions for Your Supplier
When Changing Brands or Products
New! Improved!
Better Than the Other Brand!
Magazines, direct mail pieces and vendors constantly
ask you to switch brands or purchase new products
entering the marketplace. These products may benefit
your operation, but you need to be savvy about how to
evaluate them. In addition to evaluating performance,
evaluate their environmental, health and safety impact.
Here are some guidelines to help.
Samples
Require a material safety data sheet (MSDS) before accepting
any sample. Be aware of all the health and safety hazards
of the product. Before accepting samples, ask your supplier
the following questions.
- What safety precautions should
be followed? Does the product require special precautions
for employee use?
- Can the supplier provide complete
information about
employee exposure and waste disposal? MSDSs do not
always provide complete information.
- How many years have the chemicals
been used in a work environment? The longer the track
record, the better the health and safety information.
- Does the supplier take back unused
samples? Don’t accumulate samples that you will
have to pay to dispose of later. Cost of Free Samples
- What is the smallest sample size
available for testing in your shop?
Process
and Procedure Effects
Changing products may affect processes and procedures.
Before changing products ask your supplier the following
questions.
- Will the new product require equipment
changes? For example, changing from solvent to waterbased
paint may require corrosion resistant equipment.
- Will the new product require procedure
changes? For example, changing cleaning solvents at
a printer may alter the drying time required between
print runs.
- Will the change increase the use
of energy or water? What will this cost?
- Are the instructions easy
for operators to understand and follow? Will the supplier
train employees to use the product correctly and effectively
at your company?
- What support will the vendor provide during the early production runs to work through any problems?
Leftover Inventory
Before switching to a new product, deplete your current supply to reduce excess inventory.
If you have unopened or unexpired materials, suppliers may buy them back. Or, the Minnesota
Materials Exchange can help identify other businesses
who can use common products that fit these criteria.
For more information about the Materials Exchange call
612.624.1300 or 800.247.0015. Or, visit
the Materials
Exchange Web site to list items or search for
the most current available and wanted items.
Waste/By-product
Evaluation
Learn what waste or by-products will be generated as
a result of using new products in your process. Before
changing products ask your supplier the following questions.
- Is the product regulated as hazardous
when disposed of? If so, is a nonhazardous alternative
available?
- Has a hazardous waste evaluation
been done on the leftover or spent material or by-products?
If not, be prepared to spend the time and money to
complete a satisfactory evaluation.
If the supplier has waste evaluation
data, ask:
- Was testing done on more than one
sample taken from more than one company location after
the product had been used as intended?
Has the supplier requested feedback
from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) or
a county hazardous waste official about the testing protocol
and results from the waste evaluation?
Waste Disposal
Before changing products ask your supplier the following
questions about handling hazardous and nonhazardous
waste generated by the new product.
Hazardous waste
- Does the supplier offer a waste
management program using permitted facilities and
proper shipping and tracking? If so, this could greatly
simplify meeting your environmental regulatory requirements.
Nonhazardous waste
- Can the supplier provide information
about correct waste management procedures?
- Does the supplier have a program
in place for disposal or recycling? If so, does the
company provide written proof of proper disposal?
Other Environmental
Requirements
When changing products, ensure that they meet all environmental
requirements affecting your company. Ask your supplier
the following questions about requirements and ask about
any additional requirements your company must meet.
Air emissions or Toxic Release
Inventory (TRI)
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
or other chemicals may be released from the new products.
Can the supplier provide information necessary for
reporting or tracking to meet air permitting requirements
or complete TRI reports?
Wastewater discharges
- Can the supplier tell you if approval
is needed to sewer the wastewater? Before sewering,
remember to confirm approval with your sewer authority.
You cannot discharge industrial wastewater to a septic
system or the storm sewer.
Other environmental reporting
- Can the supplier tell you if other
reporting is required for storage or use of its product?
For More Information
MnTAP has a variety of technical assistance services available to help Minnesota businesses implement industry-tailored solutions that maximize resource efficiency, prevent pollution, increase energy efficiency, and reduce costs.Our information resources are available online. Or, call MnTAP at 612.624.1300 or 800.247.0015 from greater Minnesota for personal assistance.
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Value
of Service
Select your suppliers with service and product innovation in mind. Hundreds of companies will take your order and supply exactly the product you ask for. But, only some companies take the time to learn your business and suggest alternative approaches and different kinds of equipment that will get the job done faster, easier and cheaper.
Good service may cost a little more, but it can pay dividends in reduced hassles, product use and disposal costs. Seek long-term value. The benefits of a long-term relationship with a supplier may include:
- Help troubleshooting
and making process improvements.
- Quick and easy access
to improved products.
- Help managing your
inventory and training employees to maximize
material use, reducing waste costs.
- Product delivery in
quantities you need, when you need them.
- Product packaging in
easy-to-use containers that can be returned
for refill, reused or recycled.
- Help with environmental
health and safety compliance and proper waste
management.
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