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The Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) Framework is a European Commission recommendation, presented on December 8, 2022, that seeks to guide the innovation process in the production of chemicals and materials in a safe and sustainable way.
Objectives of the SSbD Framework
- To guide innovation towards a greener and more sustainable industrial transition.
- Reduce the production and use of hazardous substances, complying with existing and future regulatory obligations.
- Minimize the impact on health, climate and the environment at all stages of the product life cycle.
Phases of the Framework
- (Re)design phase: Application of guiding principles to define objectives, scope and system boundaries for product development.
- Assessment phase: Includes four steps:
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- Hazard assessment.
- Exposure of workers during production.
- Exposure during use.
- Life cycle assessment.
Participation and Benefits
The framework is aimed at:
- EU countries: promote the framework in research programs, improve the availability of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data, and develop educational curricula.
- Industry, academia and research organizations: Use the framework in product development, provide FAIR data, and improve evaluation methods.
This framework is proposed as a common basis for ensuring that chemical innovation initiatives are sustainable and safe, facilitating regulatory readiness and promoting transparency in SSbD strategies.
It is part of a broader EU effort to improve the safety and sustainability of chemicals throughout their life cycle. Here are some of the main benefits:
- Improved product safety and sustainability.
The concept of Safe and Sustainable-by-design implies that chemicals are designed from the outset to be safer, less harmful to human health and the environment, and more sustainable throughout their life cycle. For the chemical industry, this means:
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- Reduced risks associated with the manufacture, use and disposal of chemical products.
- Promotion of innovative products with lower environmental impact.
- Greater alignment with stricter European regulations and standards, which reduces the risk of sanctions and facilitates commercialization within the single European market.
- Boosting innovation
Encourages research and development of new technologies and solutions that are not only safe and sustainable, but also economically viable. The chemical industry is incentivized to innovate, which can lead to:
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- New, greener and more efficient chemical formulations.
- More sustainable production processes with a lower carbon footprint.
- Opportunities for product development that meet the growing demands of consumers and regulators for more responsible solutions.
- Regulatory compliance and competitive advantages
Under the EU’s Green Deal and Zero Pollution program, regulations for chemicals are increasingly oriented toward sustainability. Companies that adopt an SSD approach anticipate regulatory changes and can:
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- Comply more effectively with regulations such as the REACH Regulation, which requires risk assessment and management of chemicals.
- Gain a competitive advantage by being perceived as a leader in responsible and sustainable innovation.
- Enhance their reputation in terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and attract both conscientious consumers and investors interested in sustainable business.
- Long-term cost reduction
While implementing more sustainable processes and products may require an initial investment, in the long term it can generate significant savings due to:
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- Reduced exposure to litigation or penalties for environmental or health issues.
- Optimizing processes to make more efficient use of resources such as water and energy.
- Improved product life-cycle efficiency, which can translate into lower operating and waste management costs.
- Access to international markets
As other countries and regional blocs adopt stricter regulations on sustainability and chemical safety, European companies that implement Safe and Sustainable-by-Design will be able to more easily access international markets that demand high environmental and safety standards. This can translate into:
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- Greater acceptance of their products in markets with similar regulations (e.g., in North America, Japan, or OECD member countries).
- Positioning in emerging markets that adopt European best practices in terms of sustainability.
- Promotion of the circular economy
The SSD approach also promotes the transition to a circular economy in the chemical industry by incentivizing the creation of chemical products that are more easily recyclable, reusable or biodegradable. This contributes to:
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- Reducing the generation of hazardous waste.
- Improving resource efficiency by minimizing the use of raw materials and encouraging recycling and reuse.
- Collaboration and public funding
The EU is encouraging collaboration between industry, academia and other stakeholders through research and funding programs, such as the European Innovation Funds, the Horizon Europe Program, among others. Companies in the chemical sector that align their activities with the SSD principles can:
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- Access funding opportunities for research and development.
- Collaborate on joint projects involving the development of new technologies or processes that support the transition to sustainability.
The Safe and Sustainable-by-Design framework represents an opportunity for the European chemical industry to move towards a business model that is more responsible, innovative and aligned with environmental and social expectations. By integrating these principles into chemical product design, companies can not only improve their sustainability and regulatory compliance, but also increase their competitiveness, reduce risks and costs, and seize new opportunities in both European and global markets.
At Kaeltia, our team of sustainability experts can advise you on the re-design of chemical products to be more respectful of humans, animals and the environment, as well as on grants and incentives to support these more sustainable initiatives.
