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Atrion Launches CHEMAWARE: A Free Online Database of Global Chemical Legislation

Montreal, Canada, June, 11, 2003 – Atrion International Inc. www.atrionintl.com is pleased to announce the launch of ChemAware, a free online database of global chemical legislation for nearly 200 countries. ChemAware enables EHS professionals to quickly and easily query for specific legislation in a certain country and, if it exists, to find where that legislation is located on the Internet. ChemAware is an extensive and constantly expanding information resource on legislation and regulations governing (Material) Safety Data Sheets, Classification & Labelling, Notification of Chemical Substances, Product Registration, Information on Poison Information Centers, Restrictions on the use of Very Dangerous Substances, Occupational Exposure Limits, and more. ChemAware is accessible at www.chemaware.com.

Patrick J. Lavoie, President and CEO of Atrion International states, “ChemAware is a powerful device that could revolutionize the pursuit of regulatory legislation. With ChemAware, companies no longer have to waste time and resources searching for obscure legislation in remote areas because all worldwide chemical legislation is readily available and easily accessible from one location. Although the tool does not guarantee that the information will be available in English, it does provide an unparalleled mechanism for locating information quickly and easily.”

ChemAware is available at no charge; however, subscribers are required to contribute to the upkeep of the content by submitting revised or new content—via a common email address—whenever it becomes available to them. Subscriber input is evaluated along with data generated from countries and organizations, such as the European Union, the International Labour Organization, United Nations Groups, OSPAR, ADR, etc., and updated to ChemAware on a regular basis.

Origins of ChemAware

ChemAware is based on the database spreadsheet developed by Henk Van Peski, Director, Department of Environmental Health & Safety Affairs for Kodak Polychrome Graphics. The spreadsheet—which tracked pertinent global legislation of almost every country in the world—was updated and distributed on CD-ROM by Kodak Polychrome Graphics bi-annually, at no charge to subscribers. The only stipulation was a request for subscribers to contribute in keeping the content up-to-date. “We were so impressed by Kodak Polychrome Graphics’ regulatory CD spreadsheet that we offered to host and maintain the system, and make it more readily available to subscribers as an online service,” said Mr. Lavoie. “At ChemAware, we’ve added an attractive and functional front-end interface to go along with the strong back-end database system, and have committed to maintaining its global relevance by continuously monitoring the ever-changing regulatory climate.”

For more information visit www.chemaware.com or the Atrion International website at www.atrionnintl.com. For more information about Kodak Polychrome Graphics—the world’s leading provider of digital, conventional and business solutions to the graphic arts industry—visit the company web site www.kpgraphics.com.

A leading global business applications supplier, IFS has 3,000 employees, with sales in 45 countries, and more than 350,000 users worldwide. The company is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange (XSSE: IFS).

About Atrion International Inc.

Founded in 1989, Atrion is the leading developer of advanced platforms for compliance optimization, intelligent authoring, management, and distribution of regulatory documents (material safety data sheets, labels, workplace safety cards), product registration, and regulatory reporting for hazardous materials. Atrion’s product suite is the first global compliance platform that is ERP neutral and produces multi-jurisdictional documentation to meet global regulatory requirements while lowering the cost of doing business. Atrion’s regulatory and technological expertise provides a strategic business process for customers competing in global markets. Atrion International is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, and has offices in Europe and the United States. Atrion supports approximately 150 customers whose operations span the globe. Multinational clients include: BP, Akzo Nobel, DSM, Jotun, Kao Chemicals, Huntsman Polyurethane, and Quest International.

Atrion Launches CHEMAWARE: A Free Online Database of Global Chemical Legislation

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