As the first stage of conversion, the basic PVC resin is heated so that specialised machines can make shapes or forms of it.

Stabilisers are added to the resin to allow it to be processed and to make the PVC resistant to external forces including heat and sunlight.

In the Voluntary Commitment stabiliser producers are committed to phase out use of cadmium as a stabiliser, Carry out risk assessments on lead-based stabilisers, and progressively to diminish their consumption to final phase out in 2015.

Stabiliser producers are represented by the European Stabilisers Manufacturers Association - ESPA.