Safer Alternatives

The hazard identification of chemicals is a key step of the “Safe and Sustainable by Design” (SSbD) framework introduced by the European Commission, aiming to eliminate hazardous substances early in innovation. In this context, in silico methods such as (Quantitative) Structure–Activity Relationship ((Q)SAR) models offer rapid, cost-effective, and animalfree alternatives for early-stage hazard screening. The Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) is developing a toolbox to facilitate SSbD assessments containing numerous (Q)SAR models.

In this report, the role various harmful chemicals have in the production of textiles and apparel are evaluated and five key Innovation Areas are identified. There are insights to accelerate the adoption of new safer technologies, and the work of over a hundred young innovative companies are highlighted.

The Safer Materials in Food Packaging report articulates the needs for innovation in food packaging and showcases innovative companies and potential solutions to the sector's health and environmental challenges.

In this report, major safer chemistry challenges and solutions in ingredients and materials across the beauty and personal care industry are highlighted.  Specific needs for new ingredients and materials are highlighted, and a snapshot of innovative safer chemistry companies developing promising new materials is provided. The report also highlights evolving brands and retailers standards for safety and sustainability that move the industry forward.

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. 

Historically, regulations governing chemical use have often focused on widely used chemicals and acute human health effects of exposure to them, as well as their potential to cause cancer and other adverse health effects. As scientific knowledge has expanded there has been an increased awareness of the mechanisms through which chemicals may exert harmful effects on human health, as well as their effects on other species and ecosystems.

An alternatives assessment is a set of tools that manufacturers, product designers, businesses, governments, and other interested parties can use to make better, more informed decisions about the use of toxic chemicals in their products or processes. 

To reflect evolving best practices, the IC2 has published version 1.2 of the Alternatives Assessment (AA) Guide. This update strengthens guidance on evaluating chemical hazards and the availability of safer alternatives, while newly integrating environmental justice and climate change considerations into the AA process.