The key element of the precautionary approach is prevention rather than cure, PotashCorp believes. It is more cost-effective to act early to ensure that irreversible environmental or social damage does not occur. Before marketing and distribution, products are assessed for safety, health and environmental hazards and risks.

• New products are assessed for safety, health and environmental hazards and risks associated with normal use and foreseeable misuse.
• All manufactured products are periodically reassessed, including review of any adverse effects experienced in handling.
• Up-to-date information on safety, health and environmental risks associated with the use, storage, handling, transport and disposal of products is available to the workforce, customers and others. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), labels and other information are developed and issued to handlers and users in accordance with legislative, regulatory and customer requirements, and as information changes. MSDS are updated on a formal, routine basis to ensure they are current. These documents are available on the company's website www.PotashCorp.com.