Analysis of how the regulatory landscape can support the transition to safer and sustainable chemical alternatives

Chemicals play a central role in enhancing society with thousands of substances in use every day. As our use of chemicals has grown, so has the science and policy around hazardous chemicals in the environment, including Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs), Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic (PBTs) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). There is broad acceptance that there is a need to substitute harmful chemicals for more sustainable alternatives. While international Conventions such as Stockholm recognises that the alternatives should include both chemical and non-chemical alternatives, it is important to recognise the role of green chemistry, and how chemicals can be designed to meet technical function without harming the environment. Chemical regulation is a key driver in this process, but less is known about the role of regulation in decision making. This includes the questions of whether the existing regulation also unintentionally drives or exacerbates regrettable substitution (swapping one harmful chemical for another); and what can regulation do better to help cement the fundamentals of green chemistry and more sustainable chemicals into mainstream use. This project will explore the decision-making processes that leads to regrettable substitution, and what role does the existing legislation play in driving or exacerbating that decision-making. It will also assess how green chemistry principles could have provided a better transition. This will include developing core green chemistry principles and how they could be incorporated into legislation.