Introduction to the Chemical Emergency Medical Guidelines (CEMG)

BASF practises thorough hazard control. Technical measures (e.g. closed systems) have been implemented to prevent exposure to chemical substances. In addition, BASF has an obligation to be optimally prepared and to respond to any potential accidental release of chemical substances. This is particularly relevant for chemicals that may pose a risk not only to employees, but also to neighbours, suppliers or customers. 

Against this background, the Corporate Health Management department at BASF SE developed the Chemical Emergency Medical Guidelines (CEMG) in 1996. The CEMG cover 42 chemical substances or substance groups. In 2025, the guidelines were completely revised, standardised and condensed into two versions per substance, namely BASIC (e.g. for first responders, affected persons) and PROFESSIONAL (e.g. for paramedics, emergency doctors, doctors in clinics). The two versions are thus tailored to specific users for the management of exposure or intoxication.

BASF's Chemical Emergency Medical Guidelines were created to support medical personnel responding to acute exposures resulting from accidental chemical releases.  

The CEMG include recommendations for the rescue and decontamination of exposed or intoxicated patients, as well as for their medical-toxicological assessment and clinical (emergency) treatment, including recommendations for the use of specific antidotes. 

The chapters on medical care and treatment are aimed at the following user groups:

  • First responders, affected persons => BASIC version 
  • Paramedics, emergency doctors, hospital doctors => PROFESSIONAL version 

Both versions contain the following information, recommendations and possible measures, tailored to specific users and chemicals: 

  • Information on the substance – synonyms, physical and chemical properties, use
  • Exposure – inhalation, skin/eye contact, ingestion 
  • Acute health effects – related to organ systems affected by acute exposure or possible consequences

Measures 

  • Self-protection of first aiders 
  • Rescue 
  • Cleaning 
  • Estimation of inhaled dose 
  • Dose-response relationships 
  • Initial treatment 
  • Further action and treatment
  • Biomonitoring 
  • Discharge of the patient / instructions for further rules of conduct

The instructions for further action include a list of possible specific symptoms with advice on how the patient should respond to these symptoms if necessary and what they should bear in mind after being discharged from medical treatment.
 
References can be found at the end of each chemical-specific section; these refer to the literature that was used in compiling the respective information and recommendations.