In a new peer-reviewed article from IRISS, an SSbD roadmap is presented that explores current needs and gives recommendations for the practical operationalization of SSbD in industrial operations and processes.
The European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, a core element under the European Green Deal, calls for a transition to safer and more sustainable chemicals and materials to support the goals of zero-pollution, a toxic-free environment. To achieve these goals, it introduces the Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) concept.
The SSbD concept promotes the (re)design of chemicals, materials, and products, while comprehensively accounting for their manufacturing, use, and end-of-life management so that these innovations do not adversely affect human and environmental health at any point in their lifecycles. At the same time, SSbD promotes circularity, aims to meet societal needs, and to contribute to social and economic resilience.
Recommendations on how to bring SSbD to practical
The SSbD framework and methodological guidance published by the European Commission is a holistic Research and Innovation (R&I) approach, but to achieve the operationalization of SSbD, further necessities, requirements and barriers need to be addressed and overcome. SSbD needs to be translated from a policy ambition to a practical, operational and implementable concept in industrial operations and processes, including training and education.
The roadmap provides recommendations on how to bring SSbD to practical applicability with the synergistic efforts of industry, academia, NGOs, policy makers, regulators and all stakeholders along the life cycle. It was co-created including different SSbD stakeholders and encompasses three interlinked agendas on (i) research needs, (ii) skills, competencies, and education needs, and (iii) knowledge and information sharing needs. Access the publication here
Source: https://iriss-ssbd.eu/iriss
David Spichiger, SCS/SusChem
19.09.2024