safe and sustainable by design

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.

Most contemporary chemical processes rely on non-renewable resources and reagents associated with negative impact on environment and human health. As a result, the safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) framework is launched to guide the innovation towards safe and sustainable materials and chemical products. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used chemical in the production of plastics but known to activate oestrogen receptors and linked by numerous studies to adverse effects on both human health and the environment.

The pharmaceutical industry is currently experiencing increasing demand for small-molecule drugs. However, a significant portion of the raw materials used in drug production are fossil-based, originating from crude oil. This reliance on non-renewable resources presents major challenges, particularly in the context of global environmental crises such as climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and dwindling oil reserves.