Sustainable chemicals: Minimising risks – maximising benefits

Chemicals are found in many of the products and processes that we encounter in our daily lives. Fully in line with sustainable development principles, chemicals can help us to make more efficient and sparing use of resources and energy. However, many of their applications are damaging to human health and the environment, even though less harmful substitutes or alternative processes are now available in many instances. The purpose of sustainable chemicals management is to ensure that no risk is posed by the manufacture, use and disposal of chemical products.

Chemicals need to be assessed against sustainability objectives, with a focus on occupational health and safety, environmental quality and consumer protection. In all cases, the aim is to avoid the risks that chemicals may pose and to optimise their properties so that they can be utilised successfully for the benefit of the environment, the economy and society at large.

Businesses also stand to benefit if they substitute less problematical chemicals for hazardous or high-risk substances. Chemical safety actively contributes to labour protection and environmental performance and thus has the potential to reduce companies’ risk management costs while minimising water, soil and air pollution.