This guidance was developed with the aim to advance broader agreement on a general approach and criteria for the selection of safer alternatives, with a focus on chemical substitution. It is intended to advance a consistent understanding of the minimum requirements needed to determine whether a chemical alternative is safer than the priority chemical, product, or technology for substitution, independent of the entity performing the assessment or the alternatives assessment framework being used.
The guidance was developed within the framework of the OECD Ad Hoc Group on the Substitution of Harmful Chemicals. An initial draft was developed by Abt Associates to which Ad Hoc Group members contributed text and provided review comments. It is published under the responsibility of the OECD Chemicals and Biotechnology Committee.