- ECHA
- Support
- Substitution of hazardous chemicals
- How to substitute
- Step 2: Scope the issue and identify potential alternatives
Step 2: Scope the issue and identify potential alternatives
Step 2: Scope the issue and identify potential alternatives
Once you have prioritised your substances and selected some of them for substitution, it is time to look for potential alternatives. Setting the scope of the substitution project is critical given that this is the step where you determine:
(a) the level of stakeholder engagement you intend to undertake;
(b) the goals and principles underlying the project; and
(c) decision criteria on which alternative to choose.
Setting the scope of the substitution project also involves establishing boundaries for the assessment. This helps to focus resources and outline a plan to assess alternatives, including planning which health effects, exposure pathways, life cycle segments, and technical functionality/performance attributes need to be considered.
As a first step, you should carefully consider if there is a real need for the technical functionality provided by the hazardous substance and/or if there are other ways of achieving the same goal. For example, do you really need to provide your customers with a printed receipt that may contain hazardous ink developers, or would an electronic receipt be a suitable alternative? As you think of possible safer alternatives, look into your options more widely, such as the substances, techniques and product designs, organisational or methodological adaptations that you could use.
- ECHA's Integrated Regulatory Strategy
Strategy for achieving the aims of the REACH and CLP regulations and contributing to the goals set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals concerning chemicals - ECHA's Candidate List
Lists substances of very high concern that may be included in the Authorisation List - ECHA's Authorisation List
List of substances for which you need prior authorisation under REACH - ECHA's List of recommendations for inclusion in the Authorisation List
- ECHA's Web pages on REACH Authorisation
Examples of analysis of alternatives performed by companies - List of Restrictions
- ECHA's Webpages on chemicals
Hazardous properties, databases, Biocidal Active Substances, Biocidal products, chemicals that are subject to the PIC Regulation, and information on how to use chemicals safely - ECHA's C&L Inventory
Contains basic classification and labelling information on notified and registered substances received from manufacturers and importers - ECHA's Public Activities Coordination Tool (PACT)
Substances considered by authorities for further assessment, for assessment of regulatory needs or for regulatory risk management - The Community rolling action plan (CoRAP)
Specifies the substances that will be evaluated over of the next three years - OECD eChemPortal
Information on the properties of chemicals - RISCTOX
A database on toxic and hazardous substances - SIN list
The "Substitute it now" list from environmental organisations - Trade Union Priority List for REACH Authorisation
- TEDX
List of potential endocrine disruptors
- OECD Substitution toolbox: A compilation of resources relevant to chemical substitution and alternatives assessments.
- SUBSPORTplus: Alternative substances and technologies, with tools and guidance for substance evaluation and substitution management.
- Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI): The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell provides resources and tools to help businesses, municipalities, and communities in Massachusetts find safer alternatives to toxic chemicals.
- European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA): EU-OSHA provides a number of resources in relation to chemicals at the workplace, including on their substitution.
- Chemsec Marketplace: Online platform enabling buyers and sellers of alternatives to hazardous chemicals to interact.
- CORDIS database of projects under the EU Research and Innovation funding programmes: CORDIS provides information on all EU-supported R&D activities, including programmes (H2020, FP7 and older), projects, results, and publications.
- SUBSPORTplus: database of chemical and non-chemical alternatives to hazardous substances.
See also
- Substances of concern: Why and how to substitute? [PDF]
See chapter 2.2: How to scope the issue and identify potential alternatives - Online training: Analysis of Alternatives