The safety and environmental compatibility of products are top priorities for Bayer. Legal requirements – and voluntary initiatives – are the cornerstones of modern chemicals management.

Since 2007 Bayer has been operating according to the European chemicals regulation called REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals). In 2010 the company registered (on schedule) 125 substances whose annual production or imports exceed 1,000 tonnes a year, or which are particularly dangerous. Bayer also expects its suppliers to confirm the REACH compliance of their products. Bayer is convinced that such regulations are important for protecting people’s health and the environment and organizes its actions accordingly.

In 2006 Bayer was one of the first companies to sign the Responsible Care Global Charter, which also involves a commitment to the Global Product Strategy (GPS). For example, the company has been successfully informing its customers and other interest groups via the website of "Product Safety First"  since 2000.

Bayer cooperates with its competitors, for example to promote the exchange of data between companies. Among other things, this can raise efficiency and may even reduce the amount of animal testing mandatory in the REACH registration process.

In a similar way to REACH, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in the USA also requires the registration of new chemicals.

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) came into force in 2009 in Europe – and in 2010 in China and several other countries. It regulates the uniform classification and labeling of chemicals. A Group-wide working group coordinates its implementation at Bayer. By November 30, 2010, the company had registered on schedule all substances marketed by Bayer in the EU and classified according to the GHS with the inventory of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Following this notification of more than 1,000 substances, the company will pass on information to the authority on all GHS-relevant mixtures by May 31, 2015.