Europe has frontrunner companies and the scientific and technical capacity to lead the transition to a safe and sustainable-by-design approach to chemicals. Regulatory and market initiatives have to a large extent been established, but substitution of most harmful substances has not occurred at the expected pace and frontrunners still encounter major economic and technical barriers. This transition needs stronger policy and financial support, as well as advice and assistance in particular for SMEs, and requires a concerted effort from all: authorities, businesses, investors and researchers.

Regulatory tools need to be exploited to drive and reward the production and use of safe and sustainable chemicals. It is particularly important to incentivise industry to prioritise innovation for substituting, as far as possible, substances of concern. Moving to safe and sustainable-by-design chemicals, including to sustainable bio-based chemicals, and investing in finding alternatives to substances of concern is crucial for human health and the environment, as well as an important precondition for reaching a clean circular economy.

 Source: European Commission

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