Safe and Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD)

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Our goal is to help promote safe and sustainable developments across various sectors, particularly in early product development and the ongoing refinement of assessment methods, models, and tools. Our SSbD solutions not only address current requirements but also anticipate and adapt to future regulatory and societal challenges.

Our services

• Early Product Development: Support the design and assessment of digital tools that evaluate safety and sustainability early in the innovation process, thereby increasing transparency and supporting sustainable finance and consumer awareness.
• Data Integration Platforms: Seamlessly integrate diverse data sources for comprehensive risk assessments and compliance documentation.
• Customizable Risk Assessment: Tailor our tools to your specific industry needs.
• Training and Workshops: Educational programs and workshops on SSbD principles.

Introduction: We are a contributing partner (Edelweiss Connect) to the SSbD4CheM project, an EU-funded initiative (HE) focused on material development in the textile, automotive, and cosmetics industries. With 19 expert partners collaborating from 14 European countries, the 4-year project is coordinated by VITO at the European level.

Project Overview: SSbD4CheM aims to introduce advanced screening and testing methods, promoting safe and sustainable material development across three key industries. The textile, automotive, and cosmetics sectors will be relevant demonstrators for implementing these methods.

Main Objectives: The primary goal of SSbD4CheM is to foster the creation of products and processes that prioritize safety for both humans and the environment, all while ensuring economic sustainability. The project is helping to pioneer a paradigm shift by integrating safety and sustainability considerations into the initial stages of product and process design, rather than treating them as an afterthought.

The SSbD4CheM Toolbox: Central to the project is the SSbD4CheM toolbox, a comprehensive collection of resources and tools designed to support the development of safe and sustainable products and processes. This toolbox includes a diverse array of tools, guidance documents, databases, and other resources accessible to industry, government, academia, and civil society stakeholders.

Conclusion: Our involvement in the SSbD4CheM project reflects our commitment to driving innovation that meets industry standards and prioritizes safety, sustainability, and economic viability. Stay tuned for updates as we actively contribute to this transformative initiative, working towards a future where safe and sustainable practices are at the core of material development.

Europe

The SSbD approach is embedded in several EU strategies and policies, including:

• REACH Regulation: The primary mechanism for regulating chemicals in the EU, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) has been evolving to support the SSbD concept, aiming to ensure that chemicals are designed to minimize their environmental and health impacts from the start of their product life cycle.
• Circular Economy Action Plan: This plan emphasizes the role of SSbD in ensuring that materials are kept in the economy for as long as possible, with minimal waste and impact on the environment.
• Horizon Europe: The EU’s key funding program for research and innovation includes initiatives and projects that promote SSbD principles across various industries, including chemicals, textiles, and electronics.

USA

In the USA, various agencies incorporate aspects of the SSbD concept into their regulations and guidance:

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA promotes the use of safer substances through its Safer Choice program. This program encourages manufacturers to design products with safer chemicals. The EPA’s New Chemicals Program under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) also evaluates the safety of new chemicals before they enter the market.
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS): Through research and funding, NIEHS supports initiatives that include elements of SSbD, including reducing toxicological impacts from chemicals and materials.