Substitution 1.0 – the art of delivering toxic-free products
Also introducing– REACH SIN* lISt (*SubStItutE It Now!)
ChemSec promotes dialogue and collaboration between
NGOs and industry. Companies highlighted in this report have
kindly contributed with articles about their substitution work.
ChemSec is solely responsible for all other texts.
Published in September 2008
Authors: Per Rosander, Nardono Nimpuno
Contributing authors: • Anders Finnson• Zoran Gavric• Daniel Paska• Mattias Bodin• Erik Arnberg• Göran Gerth• Laura Degallaix• Emma Sjögren• Danielle Freilich
Printed by Billes Tryckeri, Sept 2009
on Munken Pure 200 and 120 g
Layout by formera reklam
indexPreface 2
Understandingtheproblem 4
Whichsubstancesshouldbesubstituted? 5
TheReACHSin*List(*Substituteitnow!) 8
Findingasuitablesubstitute 11
Substitutionthroughoutthesupplychain 12
Substitutionmakesbusinesssense 14
Collaborationforsubstitution 16
–eureau 18
–SaraLee 22
–Sonyericsson 24
–H&M 26
–FredButler 28
–nCC 30
–BeUC 32
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PReFACe
Ourbodiescontaintracesofupto200industrialchemicalsdevelopedduring
thepast75years.Somewidelyusedchemicalslastfordecades,travellong
distancesfromtheirpointoforigin,andincreaseinconcentrationasthey
moveupthefoodchain.Manyofthemcanalsocauseserioushealthproblems
forhumansandanimals,suchascancerandreproductivedisorders.The
presenceofthesechemicalsinhumantissue,umbilicalcordblood,breast
milk,foodandhouseholddustgivesaclearsignalthatcompaniesmust
changethewaytheyviewtheirmanufacturingprocessesandtheingredients
thatgointotheirproducts.
Asnewinformationemergesonthepotentialdangersofhazardous
chemicals,andasconsumerawarenessgrows,individualcompaniesare
wakinguptotheimplicationsfortheirbrandimageandoverallcompetitive
ness.Agrowingnumberofcorporationsarethereforetakingacloserlook
atthechemicalstatusoftheirproductsandreappraisingtheirproduction
processes.Thegoalisclear:totakecontroloverthechemicalsthatentertheir
operations.
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the power of substitution
Thelogicalandmosteffectivesolutionistoeliminatethiswidespreadtoxicproblematthesource.Thiscanbeachievedbysubstitutingchemicalsofhighconcernwithlessdangerouschemicalsorwithnewtechnologies.Thestrategyofeliminatinghazardsthroughsubstitutionhasalonghistorywithinthechemicalindustry.intheaftermathofseveralseriouschemicalaccidentsinthe1970s,chemicalcompaniesdevelopedan“inherentsafety”strategy,whichbasicallymeantavoidinghazardousmaterialsandchemicalsratherthanattemptingavirtuallyimpossibledamagecontroleffortthroughoutsociety.Substitutionisalsoaprovendriverforinnovation,leadingtothedevelopmentofproductsthataremoreproductiveandnolongerbasedondubiouschemicalsandoutdatedprocesses.
Legislatorsarestrivinginthesamedirection.ThenewchemicalslegislationintheeuropeanUnion–ReACH–isagoodexample.itspreambleclearlystatesthattheobjectiveis“toencourageandincertaincasestoensurethatsubstancesofhighconcernareeventuallyreplacedbylessdangeroussubstancesoftechnologieswheresuitableeconomicallyandtechnicallyviablealternativesareavailable”.Asakeypartofthiseffort,theeUisnowintheprocessofestablishingalistofsubstancesofveryhighconcern,whichwillbesubjecttostrictregulation,includingnewmeasuresimposedonindustry.
the challenges of substitution
Switchingtosaferchemicalsisnotalwaysaneasytask.Asubstitutionstrategyraisesanumberofchallengesforcompanies,including:
Whichofthechemicalspresentinourproductsandmanufacturingprocessesareunacceptableandneedtobesubstituted?
Whatcanbeusedinstead?Howdoweavoidreplacingoneproblematicsubstancewithanother?
Howcansubstitutionbesupportedthroughmanagementsystemsandhowshoulditbecommunicatedinternallyandexternally?
infinancialterms:Howcanweaffordtoperformsubstitutioninacompetitiveenvironment?Howcanasubstitutioneffortbeturnedintobusinessopportunities?Whatisthecostofnotreplacingadoubtfulchemical?
the reach sin list – why wait?
Thisreportgivesexamplesofhowsomecompaniesarealreadyintegratingsubstitutionintotheirsustainabilitystrategy.italsodescribeshowadvocacygroupsarecomingtogethertosendastrongmessagetobusinessthatthetimeforefficientsubstitutionhascome.Topromotethespeedyreplacementofanumberofhazardouschemicals,thesegroupshavedevelopedtheReACHSinlist,basedonReACHcriteria.
Theuseoftoxicchemicalsrepresentsaserious,longtermthreattomankindandwildlife.Byconsciouslyandambitiouslydrivingsubstitutionforward,legislatorsandbusinesscanmakegreatcontributionstowardsatoxicfreeenvironment.Solet’sallgetengagedandbecomeexpertsintheartofdeliveringtoxicfreeproducts!
Brussels,September17,2008
PerRosander,director,ChemSec
UndeRSTAndingTHePROBLeM
Whenitcomestothecomplexuniverseofdangerouschemicals,ourknowledgeisminimalatbest.Onlyabouttenpercentofthechemicalsinusetodayhavebeentestedtoadegreethatmightbeconsideredsufficient.evenmoredisturbingisourlackofunderstandingoftheenvironmentalfateofthesechemicals.Perhapsachemicalisusedinonecountry,whereitposesahealthriskforworkersintheplantwhereitisused.Thechemicalisthenincorporatedintotheproduct,transmittedthroughtheproductchain,andperhapsendsupasapollutantintheArcticorinthehomesofconsumersinothercountries.Thisintricateweboftransportsandexposuresmakesitextremelydifficulttoaccuratelydetectandmonitortheeffectsofachemical.insomecases,theonlyinformationavailableisbiomonitoringdata–whichtellusonlythatasubstanceispresentinthebloodstreamortissueofhumansorwildlife.
Anotherwaytolearnmoreabouttheimpactofchemicalsistoexaminewhatcomesoutofsocietyintheformofsolidwasteandsewage.Somesubstancesofconcerntoeureau,theassociationofeuropeandrinkingwaterandwastewatertreatmentoperators,aresilver,nonylphenols,mercuryandtriclosan.Silver,atoxicheavymetal,leaksfromxrayclinicsandphotographiclaboratories.Althoughtheamountreleasedfromthesesourceshasdecreasedinrecentyears,silverisstillhighlypresent
iswastewater.Theuseofsilverinconsumerproducts,suchaswashingmachines,sportsclothing,andswimmingpools,isrising.nonylphenoletoxylates,whichareoftenusedintextilesandarangeofotherproducts,degradetotoxicnonylphenolthatbioaccumulateintheenvironment–threateningaquaticenvironmentsinparticular.Mercuryhastraditionallybeenusedindentalcarebutisnowincreasinglyreplacedbysaferalternatives.Triclosanisfoundintoothpastesandcosmetics,plastics,textilesandfoodpackaging,andisknowntobeharmfultohumansandtotheenvironment.Readeureau’sarticleonpage18.
the answer lies upstream
nodoubtanaccuratelistofknownandcurrentlyunknowntoxicpollutantswouldbeverylong.Thecomplexityofthechemicaluniversedemandsthatwegotothesourceofproblemsandfindsafersolutions.Thismeanstravellingupstreamthetoxicpathway,wherewecanshutthetapsoftoxicchemicalsthatarepouringintooursociety.Solet’stakeacloserlook
atwhatneedstobedonetoachievethisgoal.
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WHiCHSUBSTAnCeSSHOULdBeSUBSTiTUTed?
Thisisreallythefirstquestiontoask.inasocietywithtensofthousandsofchemicalsindailyuse,whichonesshouldwefocusonandfindalternativesfor?Thedebateoverwhichchemicalstoprioritizehasbeengoingonfordecades.
Justlookattheplethoraofverydiversechemicalregulations,rules,policies,phaseoutlists,restrictedmaterialslists,avoidancelists,etc,thathavebeenintroducedovertheyears.TheyhavebeendevelopedandusedbycompaniesandauthoritiesorpresentedinprocurementguidelinesandngOcampaigns,forexample.Allofthisrepresentsthevariousapproachesofdifferentstakeholderstodealingwiththeseriousproblemofdangerouschemicalsinproductsandprocesses.
Whatweneedarereliableandeffectiveinstrumentstosafeguardthefuturefromharmcausedbydangerouschemicals.Havingtherightsysteminplace,includinganhonestandaccuratelistofchemicalsforthepurposeofsubstitution,isthereforevitalforanycompanystrivingformorepredictabilityandfewerunpleasantsurprises.Thisistruenotonlyforcompaniesthatusechemicalsassuch,butalsoforvirtuallyeverycompanythatbuysandsellsproductsonthemarket.Afterall,almostallproductscontainchemicalsinsomeform.
insuring the future with an effective chemicals policy
Sowhatisthebestapproachtodevelopingamoreefficientsystemfordealingwithpresentandfuturedangersarisingfromhazardouschemicals?
Obviously,weshouldfirstidentifythechemicalswiththemosthazardousproperties–andthendoeverythingpossibletoreplacethem.Legalrequirementshavebeendevelopingwiththisapproachinmind.WhentheeUdecidedabouttenyearsagotooverhaulexistingchemicalcontrolpolicies,theconceptofsubstitutionbecameacornerstone.Thiseffortresultedinaradicallynewapproachtocontrollingchemicals,andwasformallyadoptedin2007astheReACHregulation.
inlinewiththis,theeUdecidedtodefinealistofsubstancesofhighconcern.Thesesubstanceswillbescrutinizedinordertoreducenegativeeffectsonhealthandtheenvironment.Thecontinueduseofthesechemicalswillonlybeallowedbyobtainingalicenceor“Authorisation”.Theselicencesarelimitedintimeandtodefineduses.
Morespecifically,Authorisationwillonlybegivenifthesubstanceinquestionisdeemednecessary.inotherwords,alicencewillbegivenonlyifthebenefitsofthecontinueduseofadangerouschemicaloutweightherisksorifthepotentialrisksareconsideredtobelimitedorare“adequatelycontrolled”inthelanguageoftheregulation.Theresponsibilityforseekingauthorisationliessolelywiththeproducerorimporterofasubstance.Theprocessincludesacomprehensiveinvestigationandrequiresthoroughdocumentationofthechemical’shazardsandriskstohealthandtheenvironment.
Theauthorisationprocesswillbecumbersomeandcostly.inaddition,therearenoguaranteesthatauthorisationwillbeawarded–evenafteracompanyhasinvestedhugeamountsofresourcesandtimetodefenditsuse.Whatismore,competitors
andotherthirdpartieswillbeabletochallengeanyattempttogetapermitbypresentingasolutionthatinvolveslessdangeroussubstances.TheeuropeanUnionisobligedbyReACHtoconsideravailableinformationaboutalternativeswhenmakingjudgementsaboutwhetherornottograntauthorisationforasubstance.
what makes a substance a high concern?
ReACHhasbroughtaboutaunifiedsystemfordefiningthecriteriathatdeterminewhichchemicalsarehazardousandthereforeunwanted.ithasalsoinstalledaproceduretopublicizethislistofchemicals,andhasdevelopedaprocessforthegradualphasingoutofthesesocalledSubstancesofVeryHighConcern(SVHCs)fromthemarketplace.
ReACHstatesthatanSVHCshouldhaveatleastoneofthefollowingcharacteristics:
• CMRs:Carcinogenic,MutagenicortoxictoReproduction• PBTs:Persistent,BioaccumulativeandToxic• vPvBs:VeryPersistentorVeryBioaccumulative• Substances of equivalent level of concern:Thesearechemi
calsthatdonotnecessarilyfallintoanyoftheabovecategories,buthavenonethelessproventocausesimilaralevelofharmtohumanhealthortheenvironment.Hormonedisruptingchemicals,socalledendocrinedisruptors,areexamplesfromthiscategory.
ThesecharacteristicsareclearlydefinedinReACH,withtheexceptionof“substancesofequivalentlevelofconcern”,whichiscurrentlythesubjectofheateddebate.estimatessuggestthatthereareroughly2000knownSVHCscurrentlyinuseineurope.However,severalofthesesubstances,suchaspesticides,areexemptfromReACHsincetheyarecoveredbyotherlegislationorforotherreasons.Therefore,thenumberofSVHCsthatqualifyfortheauthorisationisactuallylower.
ThelistingofSVHCsfollowsabasicprocess.MemberstatesoreUauthoritiesnominatedangerouschemicalstobeplacedonaCandidatelist.SubstancesontheCandidatelistwillbegraduallytransferredtoanofficialAuthorisationList.ChemicalsontheAuthorisationListaresubjecttotheAuthorisationpro
cedure,whichmeansthatcompaniesthatwishtousethesubstancemustfirstrequestanauthorisationfromeUauthorities
foritscontinueduse.
a step forward – but a very slow one
ThefactthateUauthorities,withthebackingofits27memberstates,andwithinputfromindustry,civilsocietyandthescientificcommunity,haveestablishedcriteriafordefininghighconcernchemicalsisamajorstepforwardinmodernchemicalsmanagement.italsogivesclearguidancetoconsumersandindustryconcerningchemicalsthatshouldbeavoided,whileopeningopportunitiestointroducehomogenousrules,predictabilityandcertaintyonthemarketplace.
inreality,however,listingofSVHCsforauthorisationisseverelyhamperedbytheanticipatedworkloadforeuropeanauthorities.Authorisationprocedureswillnotonlybeanexhaustiveprocessforcompanies,butwillalsoplaceahugeburdenontheeuropeanChemicalsAgency(eCHA)andnationalauthoritiestoinvestigatealloftheusesforwhichcompanieswantpermits.infearofoverloadingthesystem,eUofficialshavethereforeaskedmemberstatestonominateonlyahandfulofsubstancestotheofficialCandidatelist,whichwillbeissuedbyeCHAbeforeJune2009.eCHApredictsthatitwillonlybepossibletohandleabout1020substanceseachyearintheauthorisationprocess.Asaconsequence,the27eUcountrieshaveonlynominatedatotalof16substancesascandidateSVHCs,asofSeptember2008.
Thisbottleneckcreatesadiresituation,inwhichsubstancesthatclearlymeettheSVHCcriteriamightnotentertheauthorisationprocessfordecades.Thismeansunacceptabledelaysincleaningupthestreamofhazardoussubstances.italsomaintainstheambiguityforcompaniesregardingwhatsubstancesregulatorswillrestrictinthefuture–asituationthatReACHwasmeanttochange.
TheinclusionofasubstanceontheCandidatelistpreparesthewayforinclusionintheauthorisationsystem.italsohasimportantconsequencesintermsofthegatheringanddispersingofinformationabouttherelevantchemical,suchaswhatinformationmustbeprovidedtoconsumers.
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THeReACHSin*LiST*(SUBSTiTUTeiTnOW!)
Awellfunctioningchemicalsmanagementsystemrequiresamanageablelistofsubstancesthatmanufacturers,distributors,retailersandconsumerscanrefertowhensearchingforbetteralternatives.Agoodbasisforthelistwouldbethecriteriaforsubstancesofveryhighconcernthat27europeangovernmentshavealreadyagreedon.Thislistwouldthenalsobeanexcellenttooltouseinacorporatesustainabilitystrategy.Bycomplyingwiththelistearlyon,acompanyisabletoavoidbeingtrappedinaburdensomepermitprocesslateron.
AbroadrangeofadvocacygroupshavebeenmovingforwardwiththisstrategybyresearchingwhichsubstancesonthemarketactuallyfulfiltheReACHcriteria.Theyincludeleadingenvironmental,Humanhealth,Consumer,Women’sandLabourgroups,whichhavepooledtheirresourcesandfocustogatherinformationonpotentialSVHCs,basedontheofficialReACHcriteria.Thesubstancesthatthiscollaborativeprojecthasidentifiedmakeupthepublicinterestadvocacylist,orthe
ReACHSinList,whereSinstandsforSubstituteitnow.
aim of the project
Theprojecthasbeendevelopedtofasttrackurgenthighconcernsubstancesonthemarketforsubstitution.Theaimisto:
influencetheofficialAuthorisation“workinglist”thatwillbedraftedbytheeuropeanChemicalsAgencyin2009,andtoprovideeuropeanauthoritieswithinformationonassessmentsmadeandexpertknowledgeonthesesubstances.
encouragetheauthoritiestoproposeandprioritizetheSin*Listsubstancesintheauthorisationprocedure.
Provideadvancedguidancerelatingtohighconcernchemicalsforcompanies(mainlydownstreamusers),consumersandregulators.
the reach sin list
TheSinList,launchedinSeptember2008,isacomprehensiblelistofsubstancesidentifiedbyChemSecasfulfillingthecriteriafor“substanceofveryhighconcern”aslaiddowninReACH.
ThesubstancesontheSinListhavebeenselectedonthebasisofindependent,publiclyavailablescientificresearchconfirmingthattheyfulfiltheofficialcriteriaforSVHCdesignation.Toxicological,ecotoxicologicaleffects,biomonitoringandepidemiologicalstudies,aswellasdatabasesonusepatterns(e.g.ifthesubstanceispresentinconsumerproducts,etc),havebeenusedasthebasisforinclusionofsubstances.
Fromtheextensivelistofaround2000substancesthatfulfilthecriteria,aselectionwasmadethatexcludedsubstancesthatareexemptedfromauthorisation,suchaspesticides,certainintermediatesduringmanufacture,etc.Theprojectfocusesparticularlyonchemicalsthatconsumersmightbeexposedto.Thisincludeschemicalsusedeverywhereinourdailylife,suchasindetergentsandpaints,inelectronics,inresidentialbuildings,toys,apparelandclothes.Manyofthesesubstancesarehighlyhazardousandarepresentinhighlevelsinarticlesaroundus.Still,consumershavelittleornoinformationaboutthesechemicalsandarethereforeunabletoprotectthemselvesfromthehazard.
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“”
“”
[The REACH SIN list] is a prime source of information
about substances of concern that B&Q will use to ensure
that it protects its customers, employees and
the environment. In addition, it will provide
an early warning system for substances that are likely to
appear on the official REACH ‘candidate list’,
enabling B&Q to move towards elimination/substitution of
these chemicals in advance of legislation.
Roy Miller, Chemicals Advisor, B&Q Social Responsibility Team
Fromtheoriginallist,about270substanceshavebeenincludedonthefirstReACHSinlist(version1.0).Thecriteriaforchemicalsdefinedascarcinogenic,mutagenicortoxictoreproduction(CMR),orarepersistent,bioaccumulativeand/ortoxic(PBT,vPvB).Additionalsubstanceswereincludedbasedonthecriteriaof“equivalentconcern”.
TheSinListisaliving,ongoingprojectthatwillreactandevolveaccordingtonewdevelopmentsandfindings.Asaresult,theSinListwillbecontinuouslyupdatedasnewinformationondangerouschemicalsbecomesavailable.
AdviSoRy CoMMiTTee
TheReACHSinListhasbeendevelopedbyChemSec,theinternationalChemicalSecretariat,throughthecollaboration
ofanAdvisoryCommitteeconsistingofthefollowingorganisations:
•BeUC,theeuropeanConsumer’sOrganisation
•CieL,CenterforinternationalenvironmentalLaw,U.S.
•eeB,europeanenvironmentalBureau
•Friendsoftheeartheurope
•ThegreenpeaceeuropeanUnit
•HeAL,theHealthandenvironmentAlliance
•iSTAS,UnioninstituteofWork,environmentandHealth,Spain
•WeCF,Womenineuropeforacommonfuture
•WWF’seuropeanPolicyOffice
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TheReACHSinlistisavailableonwww.sinlist.org
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FindingASUiTABLeSUBSTiTUTe
itisonethingtodeterminewhatshouldbephasedout,andanothertofindasubstitutethatisacceptablefromenvironmental,healthandperformanceperspectives.Choosinganenvironmentallysoundandcommerciallyviablealternativecanbeaformidablechallenge.
OfcourseanSVHCshouldneverbereplacedwithanotherSVHC.itisthereforeimportanttofirstcheckthatpotentialsubstitutesdonothaveanypropertiesthatwouldqualifythemasSVHCs.
itisalsoimportanttorememberthatnewsolutionsdonotalwayshavetoinvolvereplacingonesubstancewithasafersubstance.Perhapsthedesiredfunctionorservicecanbeachievedbyapplyingalternativetechniques,makingchangesinthemanufacturingprocessorredesigningtheproduct.
Forexample,brominatedflameretardantisusuallyaddedtotheplasticcasesoflaptopstomakethemfireproof.emergingevidenceishoweverprovingthattheuseofandexposuretobrominatedflameretardantshasasevereimpactonhumanhealth.Amajorglobalcomputermanufacturerdecidedtodealwiththepotentialproblemnotbyreplacingtheflameretardantwithanotherchemicalwiththesamespecificfunction,butbymakingthecasesinaluminiuminsteadofplastic.Theresultingproducteliminatedtheproblembyeliminatingtheneed(topreventtheplasticcasefromburstingintoflames).nottomentiontheadditionalbenefitofofferingaproductthatstoodoutfromthecompetitionintermsofbothsafetyanddesign.
AnotherexampleofprovidinganalternativetechnologicalsolutionisthegermanLindegroup,ownerofthegarmentcleaningchainFredButler®.in2007,thecompanyannounced
afurther50millioneuroinvestmentinoutletsandcleaningfacilitiesbasedonaCO2cleaningtechnique,analternativetoconventionalperchloroethylenebaseddrycleaning.Accordingtothecompany’sCeO,theinvestment“willmakeasustainablecontributiontoprotectingtheenvironment–andtocreatingnewjobs.”Readmoreonpage28.
Whenitcomestosimplyreplacingadangeroussubstancewithalessdangerousalternative,ReACHwillactuallyprovidemethodsforsearchinginformationaboutalternatives.WhenasubstancegetsontheofficialCandidatelistforauthorisation,interestedpartiesareformallyinvitedtocontributewithinformationaboutalternatives.TheeuropeanChemicalsAgency(eCHA)willpostabroadrangeofinformationonuses,includingdeadlines“bywhichinformationonalternativesubstancesortechnologiesmaybesubmittedbyinterestedthirdparties.”Followupinformationwillalsobeposted,andwillbetakenintoaccountbytheauthoritieswhenjudgingwhetherornotasuitablealternativeisavailable.
dependingonthetypeofproduct,companiesusevariousmethodstofindsuitablealternatives.SaraLeeisoneexample.FragrancesareanimportantpartoftheSaraLeebrand.Toremovetoxicsubstances,thecompanyaskedtherelevantfragrancehousestodevelopnewrawmaterialsforfragrancesthatcomplywithCiPrequirements.inparallel,thecompany’sR&ddepartmentsbeganreformulatingtheproductsaffectedandperformedextensivetesting,likestabilityofthenewformulations,biophysicalandsensoryevaluations.Afragranceexpertpanelalsoensuredthatthesmellsensationofthenewfragrancesmatchedtherelevantproductsperfectly.
AnotherexamplefromSaraLeeinvolvedfindingasubstituteforTriclosanusedinitsantibacterialliquidhandsoaps.ithadtobeatleastaseffectiveandoffercomparableperformanceandcompatibilityintheformulation.Thesolutionwaslacticacid,whichhasverylowtoxicityandoccursnaturallyinthehumanbody.SaraLee’sinnovativeapproachtosubstitutionis
describedindetailintheirarticleonpage22.
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SUBSTiTUTiOnTHROUgHOUTTHeSUPPLyCHAin
Onceadecisionhasbeentakentoreplaceasubstancewithabetteralternative,anewchallengeappears,particularlyforcompanieswithawideproductrangeandnumeroussuppliersspreadoutovertheglobe.Thenewchallengeishowtomakesurethechangeisimplementedthroughoutthecompanyproductcyclewhensomanysuppliersanddistributorsareinvolved?
WhenSustainabilityManagersdiscusstheircompany’schemicalspoliciestheyoftenexpressfrustrationoverthefactthateventhoughthecompanyhasdoneitsinternalhomework,suchasanalyzeditsproductsandprocesses,identifiedthechemicalsitwantstoremoveandestablishedinternalroutinestodoit,thecompanyisoftenhamperedinachievingitschemicalsambitionsduetononcompliancebyitssuppliers.
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Sony eRiCSSon MoBile CoMMuniCATionSisaglobalproviderofmobilemultimediadevices.itsmobilehandsetsandaccessoriesareproducedinAsia,andcanbepurchasedtheworldover.Tobeabletoreachenvironmentaltargets,Sonyericssonworkstogetherwithsuppliersofcomponentstoidentifycomponentswheresubstancesofconcernareusedandtophaseoutthesesubstancesfromtheirproducts.Toinformandhelpsupplierstounderstandthecompany’srequirements,thecompanyarrangesworkshopsandtrainingsessionsonenvironmentalissuesregardingsubstances.Sonyericssonwritesintheirarticleinthisreport:“Thesesessionsareheldwithindividualsuppliers,onsitewhenneeded,whereweindetailcandiscusschallengesandpotentialsolutionstothem.Thesefacetofacemeetingsresultinmutualconfidenceandtrust,andhelpbothusasaglobalproviderofmobiledevicesandoursupplierstodevelopandincreaseourknowledgeoftheproductsweareproducing.”
Sonyericssonhasalsointroducedafullyautomatedsystemtoobtainmaterialdeclarationsforallcomponentsandparts.Thesystemgivescontrolofsubstancesinproductsandhelpsthecompanytophaseoutunwantedsubstances.Readmoreonpage24.
H&M iS AnoTHeR good exAMPle. Thesupplychainofaconsumerproductlikeagarmentisoftenverylongandcomplicatedwithvarioussubcontractorsspreadoutgeographically.Foratypicalgarment,thesesubcontractorscouldincludefarmers,traders,spinners,weaver,dyemills,printers,accessoriesproducersandchemicalmanufacturers.Togettherightinformationthroughtoallinvolvedpeopleisprobablythebiggestchallengeingettingcompliantproducts.Therefore,H&Mhaschemistsemployedattheirofficesintheproductionmarketswhofrequentlyvisitsuppliersandtheirsubcontractors.ThepurposeoftheirworkistomakesurethatH&M’srequirementsarewellknownandunderstoodthroughoutthesupplychain,andthatsuppliershaveasuitablechemicalmanagementsysteminordertopreventandavoidanynoncompliance.Readthecompletearticleonpage26.
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PHOTOgRAPHeRPetergehrke
SUBSTiTUTiOnMAkeSBUSineSSSenSe
Toagrowingextent,companiesaretakinggreatercontroloversocialandsustainabilityaspectsoftheirproduction.Communicationtowardscustomers,clientsandconsumersaboutgreeningchoicesandpoliciesarebecominganintegralpartofnotonlytheplanningsessionsofPRdepartments,butalsopartofeverystepintheoperationsofsuccessfulfirms.Brandimageanddispersionofinformationarekeyfactorsinthisprocess.
Formanymultinationalsbrandimageisasessentialasensuringthequalityoftheproductsprovided.inanincreasinglycompetitivemarket,thereputationofabrandcanmakeorbreakacompany.Thebrand,withthecorevalues,assurancesandinspirationitcommunicatestotargetgroups,hasagrowingimpactonthemarketvalueofthecompanyitself.
Proactivechemicalspolicieswillplayanincreasinglyimportantroleinacompany’sfinancialstabilityandlongtermcompetitiveness.inthewordsoftheSustainabilityManagerofalargemultinational,chemicalspolicyisreallyallabout“futureproofingourprojects”.14
gRowing ConSuMeR AwAReneSS
Advancementsincommunicationtechnology,havemadetheworldmuchsmaller.Thismeansthatdifferentactors,fromregulatorstoconsumers,havebecomemoreawareofdifferentaspectsofthemanufactureofaproduct,evenwhenthisproductiontakesplaceindistantpartsoftheworld.Childlabour,whichwascommonplaceintheproductionofavastrangeofconsumergoodsnotmanyyearsago,isnowdeemedunacceptablebymultinationalsandconsumersalike.environmentalconsiderationsaredevelopinginthesamedirection.Consumerswanttoknowhow,andunderwhatcircumstances,theproductstheybuyaremade.
informationismorerapidlyandwidelydispersedthaneverbefore.Unforeseenaccidents,scandalsandevenscares,wellfoundedornot,haveimmediateimpactsonmarketsharesandbrandreputations.Whatismore,theintroductionofReACHwillhavefarreachingconsequencesforcompaniesbothinsideandoutsidetheeuropeanUnion.Forthecompanythatdoesnothavethestructuresinplacetooverviewandcontrolitsproductsandproductionprocesses,revelationsonthepresenceofhazardoussubstancescanhavefarreachingconsequences.
BeUC,theeuropeanConsumersOrganisation,keepstrackofregulatorsandindividualcompaniesaliketoensurethatconsumersareprotected.BeUCwantsmanufacturersofconsumergoodstoshouldertheircorporateresponsibilitybyactivelyshiftingawayfromproducts,processesandmaterialscontainingpotentialhighconcernchemicals.intheirarticleonpage32,BeUCsaysthat“hazardous substances, such as substan-ces of very high concern, hormonal disrupters, sensitizers and neuro toxics, should be replaced with safer chemicals whenever
possible, in particular when contained in products with which consumers are in close and/or regular contact”.
investorsarepickinguponthisawarenessaswell.Toensurethatinvestmentsgointo“futureproof”productsandmarkets,considerationsthatinthepastbelongedtotherealmofpublicinterestorganizations,arebecomingadailyrealityinlongtermfinancialstrategies.Aspectsofcorporatesocialresponsibilityandsustainabilityandarebecomingkeyconsiderationsinlongtermstrategicthinking.Thisincludesavoidanceofhighriskchemicals,whicharelikelytocomeunderfutureregulatorypressure.
Aglimpseintothisbold,newfuturecanbefoundintheupcomingreportREACH Benchmark: Financial Implications of the Authorization Phase of REACHissuedbytheinternationalStrategicinvestmentAdvisoryfirminnovest.ByanalyzingtheReACHregulationcurrentlyunderimplementation,whiletakingintoaccountthesubstancesidentifiedintheReACHSinList,innovestdevelopsanalysisoffutureliabilitiesandrisksforthecompaniesincontactwithrelevanthighconcernchemicals.www.innovestgroup.com
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Asmanycompaniesambitiouslypursuingachemicalspolicy(beita“Restrictedmaterialsprogram”,compliancewithdifferinglegalrequirements,oraphaseoutplanondangeroussubstances)havediscovered,thesuccessofsuchapolicy,attheendoftheday,islargelydependentonaconstructiveresponsefromthedifferentactorsinthecompany’ssupplychain.evenrelativelylargecompaniesoftenencounterproblemsininfluencingsuppliersinfarawayplacesthatarealsotryingtoaccommodatealargerangeofclients.
Communicationinthesupplychainiskeytoimplementinganambitiouschemicalspolicy.inaddition,increasedleverageisoftenachievedbycoordinatingandaligningthedemandsplacedonsuppliers.Onewaytoachievethisissimplythroughregulation.Minimumcompliancemovesstakeholderstointroducethesamesetofdemandsonthesuppliersofproductsandserviceswithinacertainsector.
Asdescribed,thiswillbeacorebenefitofReACH.Withamarketof492millionconsumers,companieswillhavetorequirethesameminimumlevelsofchemicalsinformationandsafetyfromtheirsuppliersoutsidetheeuropeanUnion.
inaddition,ambitiouscompanieswithinthesamesector,dealingwiththesamesuppliers,canaligntheirpoliciesandrequirementsvisàvistheirsuppliersinordertoensurefacilitatedsuppliercompliance.
Thesuccessofthistypeofcollaborationistrulyremarkable,andincludescaseswheredirectcompetitorscommunicateandcooperatetoinfluencethesupplychain.
Further,companiestakingpartinsuchcoordinatingeffortsoftendiscoverthatwhilestillrespectingbusinesssensitivitiesandconfidentialinformationonoperations,afruitfulcommunicationonsolutionsandcommoninterestisfacilitatedtothebenefitofthecompaniesinvolved.
Anaddedvalueofaligningthedemandsonchemicaluseisthatitactuallyhelpssuppliers:insteadofhavingtoadapttoseveraldifferentsetsofcriteria,supplierscanofferproductsaccordingtoaunifiedsetofdemands.
ThiswasthecasewhennCCandotherconstructionindustriesdevelopedtheBASTAsysteminSweden.inordertogainbettercontroloveranextremelyheterogeneousmarketofbuildingproducts,thesecompaniesdevelopedcriteriaforchemicalscontrolinbuildingproductsonthemarket.Theongoingprogramgivessuppliersandclientsalikeanoverviewofproductsthatliveuptothestandardsoftheconstructionindustry.Seethearticleonpage30.
AnotherexcellentexampleistheAFiRMcollaborationdescribedinthisreportinthearticlebymultinationalretailerH&M.ForH&M,thebenefitsofjoiningthisgroupoftenmajorretailersareclear.Apartfromtheobviousadvantageoffacilitatedsuppliercompliancetothecompany’schemicalspolicy,thegroupprovidesauniqueforumforexchangingexperiences–andoffersatangibleexampleofthecompany’scommitmenttoCorporateSocialResponsibility.Readmoreonpage26.
COLLABORATiOnFORSUBSTiTUTiOn
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Chemicals used in modern-day society enter the sewer systems from households and consumer products, from consumer services, industrial discharges, or simply through urban rain-water. To be able to work for a sustainable water environment with respect to European drinking water abstraction and wastewater treatment, it is necessary to have a sustainable use of chemical substances within the urban water cycle.
AS wASTewATeR TReATMenT PlAnTS (wwTP)cannottreatallkindsofdischarges,restrictionsonwastewaterdischargehavetobebackedbyadditionaleuropeanrestrictionsonmarketauthorisation.Often,itisnotpossibletotreatnonbiodegradablechemicalsubstancescomingtoWWTPfromcities.Thesesubstancesmaydestroytheimportantnitrogenremovalprocessanddecreasesludgequality,therebyreducingthepossibilityofrecyclingvaluablephosphorousforagriculturalland.
drinkingwateroperatorshavesimilarconcerns.nonbiodegradablechemicalsubstancesinwatercatchmentareaswillalsoreducethequalityofeuropeandrinkingwatersources.drinkingwatercatchmentareasmustbeprotectedagainstcontaminationby(hazardous)substanceswhoseremovalwouldrequireadditionalpurificationtreatment(seearticle7ofWaterFrameworkdirective(WFd)).
TakingintoaccountwaterandsludgequalityrequirementsintheeU,operatorsofWWTPmayinthefuturebeplacedinadifficultposition,astheycanhardlycontrolthequalityofincomingurbanwastewater(inparticular,thepriorityhazardoussubstances)whilsthavingtomeetrequirementsforsludgeanddischargeintotheaquaticenvironment.
ReACH iS iMPoRTAnT foR wATeR oPeRAToRSasitcreatesthepossibilityifhavingabetterproductcontrolstrategy.Forthewaterindustry,thereisneedforastrongimplementationofReACHinorderto:
•havewellfunctioningtreatmentprocessesineuropeanWWTP
•obtainaqualityoftheinfluentstoWWTPandeffluentsfromstormwater,makingitpossibletofulfiltherequirementsof
theWaterFrameworkdirectiveofPrioritySubstances(eQS)inthereceivingwatersandthetoaquaticenvironment
•minimisetheenergyuseofthetreatmentprocesses
•improvethequalityofsludgetoincreaseitsuseasanagriculturefertiliserandsoilconditioner.
THeRe iS A CleAR needtohaveimprovedeuropeancontrolofchemicalsubstancesatsource,bothforsustainablewastewatertreatmentandforsustainabledrinkingwaterproduction.Thiscanbeachievedthroughan“upstreamapproach”.
WiththepresentweakproposaloftheWFdonPrioritySubstances,ReACHturnsouttobewaterandwastewateroperators’mostimportantinstrumenttocontrolchemicalsatthesource.Withoutastrong,implementedReACH,itisunlikelythatwateroperatorswillseelesshazardouschemicalsdischargedfromtheurbanwatercatchmentareaintowastewatertreatmentplants.AeuropeanUnionwithoutthepossibilitytobettercontrolchemicalsatsourcewillmakeitdifficultformanywaterandwastewateroperatorstofulfilrelevantdirectivessuchastheeQSinWFd,thedrinkingWaterdirectiveandafutureSludgedirective.
THe uPSTReAM APPRoACH in PRACTiCe: exAMPleS of SilveR, no nylPHenolS, MeRCuRy And TRiCloSAn SilveRcontentinsludgeisaverygoodindicatoroftheuseofsilverwithintheurbanwatercatchmentarea.Thewastewatersectorhasformanyyearsworkedtogetherwithphotographiclaboratories,xrayclinicsandamateurphotodeveloperstoreducethesilverdischargedintowastewater.Therecentdigitalrevolutionhasdramaticallydecreasedsilverleakageintothewastewatertreatmentworks.
Swedishfarmershaveunderlinedthatnotallimpactsofsilveronthemicrobiologicalsoilactivityareknown,andtheythereforeputhighpressureonthewastewatersectortodecreasesilverinsludge.
Overtheyears,silveremissionshavedecreased,however,todaythereisagainanemergingpressuretousesilverinseveralproducts.
THeURBAnWATeRCyCLe,ReACH,AndTHeneedFORAn“UPSTReAMAPPROACH”
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inthelastfiveyears,productsemittingsilverintowastewaterhaveagainbecomemorecommononthemarket.examplesincludewashingmachinesthatusesilverionsasbactericide,theuseofsilverasabactericideinswimmingpools,andinsportsclothingandapparel.ifalltheseproductsenterthemarketthroughtheseproducts,itwillbedifficulttomaintainthenecessarytrendofreducingsilverinwastewaterandsludge.
AfteraoneyeardebateinnorwayandSwedenontheenvironmentaldisadvantagesofsellingandusinghouseholdwashingmachinesthatemitsilverintothewastewater,itseemsthatretailershavestartedtowithdrawthesilveremittingwashingmachinesfromthemarket.
nonylPHenolethoxylateeasilybreaksdownintheenvironmentintononylphenol.nonylphenolisdifficulttobreakdown,anditbioaccumulatesintheenvironment.itishighlytoxictoaquaticorganismsandcancauseadverselongtermeffectsintheaquaticenvironment.nonylphenolalsohasoestrogeneffects,causing,amongotherthings,thefeminisationofmalefish.
nonylphenolisincludedintheWFd(directive2000/60/eC)listofsubstancesandsubstancegroupsthatmustbeprioritisedinworktoachievegoodsurfacewaterstatus.
nonylphenolethoxylatesandnonylphenolshave,untiltheeUrestrictionsin2005,beenusedinplasticsandpaints,astensidesincleaningagents,incuttinganddrillingfluids,andusedingluesandemulsifiers.TheyarestillusedoutsidetheeU,andnonylphenolscanthereforeeasilybedetectedinmanyarticlesimportedtotheeU.
despitethe2005restrictions,therearestilltoomanynonylphenolsinurbanwastewater.ThemainsourceinSwedishwastewaters,sludgesandinthereceivingwatersisnowestimatedtobenonylphenolsfromimportedclothes.inseveralinvestigations,nonylphenolsarefoundinhighconcentrationsinmanydifferenttextilessuchaschildrenclothes,towels,andclothesimportedtotheSweden.nonylphenolwasidentifiedasbeingofprimaryconcerninSwedenwithregardstotheWaterFrameworkdirective.nonylphenolisprobablythemostwidespreadofallprioritysubstances,anditislikelythatthisisthecaseallovereurope.
Thereisnowanacuteneedforpressureoneuropeantextile
supplierstophaseoutandcontroltheuseofnonylphenolsamongtheirsuppliers.
MeRCuRyisoneofthemosthazardousenvironmentaltoxinsandisathreattohumanhealthandtheenvironment.Mercurycannotbebrokendownbutaccumulatesinsoil,waterandlivingorganisms.Themoremercurythatissuppliedtosociety,thehigheritslevelsintheenvironment.itisthereforeofgreatimportancethattheuseandreleaseofmercuryshouldbeeliminated,particularlyindentalcare.
Themercuryusedindentalamalgamsiscurrentlyanimportantsourceofpollutionineurope.Mercurycanenterthewaterindustry’ssewagesystemsasadiffusepollutant.Studieshaveindicatedthattheuseofamalgamhasbeenidentifiedasthesinglelargestsourceofmercuryinsewagesludge,andcrematoriaarealargesourceofemissionstoairintheUk.Thedischargeofdentalamalgamtosewersshouldberegulatedtoensurethatinthelongtermsuchdiffusesourcesbeeliminatedasasourceofmercurytotheaquaticenvironment.
TodayinSweden,only25%ofnewdentalfillingsareofamalgam.Asaconsequence,themercuryinthewastewaterhasstartedtodecrease.ThejudgementofthenationalBoardofHealthandWelfareisthatthereisnojustificationforusingamalgaminthecaseofchildrenandyoungpeople.Foradultstheremaybesituationswhereforspecialmedicalreasons,theuseofamalgamonpatientsinhospitalsistheonlyoption.
Ceasingtheuseofusingamalgamineuropeandentalcarewouldhavealargeeffectonmercuryintheeuropeanwaters.
TRiCloSAnisawidelyusedbiocide.itisincludedinmanycontemporaryconsumerandprofessionalhealthcareproducts,particularlyoralanddermalproducts,butalsoinhouseholditemsincludingplastics,textilesandfoodpackagingmaterials.Concernshavebeenraisedregardingthewidespreaduseoftriclosan,bothasregardsthepotentialforselectionofresistantbacterialstrainsthatmayconfercrossresistancetootherantimicrobialagents,andasregardsthepotentialharmtotheenvironment.Triclosanisclassifiedas“verytoxictoaquaticorganisms”and“maycauselongtermadverseeffectstotheenvironment”bytheeuropeanCommission.
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eU R eAU
TheconclusionsbythenorwegianScientificCommitteeforFoodSafetyare:
“Widespread use of triclosan, including use in cosmetic products, selects for development of triclosan resistance. Since this may contribute to the development and spread of concomitant resistance to clinically important antimicrobial agents, such use represents a public health risk. Therefore, the use of triclosan should be restricted. The current regulation of use of triclosan in cosmetic pro-ducts is, from a toxicological point of view, a matter of concern and it is recommended that human exposure to triclosan be reduced. Moreover, triclosan is classified as an agent that may cause adverse environmental effects and hence the use should be restricted also from an ecotoxicological standpoint.”
Manyeuropeanwatercompaniesareworkingtoinformconsumersandretailersaboutavoidinguseofarticlescontainingtriclosan.
nexT STeP – THe need foR A STRong CAndidATe liST And STRiCT AuTHoRiSATion PRoCeSSeUReAUwelcomesReACHasanexcellentopportunityfortheeUtofurthersustainability.indeed,weneedastrongmanaged
ReACHtofacilitatethesustainableprovisionoftheessentialservicesweoffertoseveralhundredmillioneuropeancitizens.ReACHisimportantforeuropeanwaterandwastewateroperators,asitpresentsthepotentialtohaveabetterproductcontrolstrategyforchemicals,throughbetterinformation,saferuseandstricterauthorisationsandrestrictionsforchemicalsinproducts.Thispotential,however,requiresclearprovisionsthatfacilitateastricterauthorisationprocesswhichwillbenefitdownstreamusersaswellasconsumers.
TheauthorisationprocessunderReACHfortheuseofthemosthazardouschemicalsshouldonlybegrantedifnosaferalternativesareavailable,andwheresocioeconomicadvantagesoutweightherisk.Thisreportisindeedanimportantsteptoshowthewayforward.
AstrongReACHwillbeofgreatimportanceforthesustainabilityofourbusinessesandalsomuchbetterinlinewiththeobjectivesofarticle174oftheeCTreaty;the principles of pre-ventive action, the principle that environmental damage should as a priority be rectified at source, and that the polluters should pay.
EUREAU is the voice of Europe’s drinking water and waste water operators. The members of EUREAU collectively provide vital water and waste water services to more than 400 million European citizens. We are committed to sustainability in all aspects of our business operations and particularly in the provision of drinking water and waste water services. PHOTOgRAPHeRChatarinaOhlsson
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eU R eAU
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CHALLengeSAndOPPORTUniTieSTOSUBSTiTUTeCHeMiCALSWiTHinSARALee
At Sara Lee, as one of the leading FMCG companies worldwide, we take great pride in ensuring that consumers can trust the quality and safety of our products. That commitment is visible in our ongoing dialogue with regulators, legislators, advocates, experts and others to ensure we collectively identify, communicate and address opportunities for the industry to continuously/further improve their products.
inlinewithourcorporatesocialresponsibility(CSR)commitments,wearemanagingaCriticalingredientsProgram(CiP)acrossallhouseholdandbodycareproductcategories.Theprograminvolvesconstantandsystematicreviewsofvariousingredientsandcombinationsofingredientsusedinthemanufacturingprocessofourproducts.ecosystem,humanhealth,andotherrelatedpotentialeffectsareconsidered.Thereviewsassesshazardousproperties,(legal)regulations,newdevelopmentsbasedonscientificresearch,newfoundconsumerinsightsanddesiresaswellasexpectationsfrominterestgroupsresultinginarankingofchemicalsinthesocalledCiPList.
eachyear,anactionplanisdeterminedbasedontheCiPList.Aplanforreducingusage/phasingoutand/orhaltinguseofingredientsontheCiPListissharedwithallrelevantprojectmanagers,andtheyarerequiredtoimplementtheirrespectiveaspects.Thisapproachhasproveneffective,withnumerouschemicalshavingbeenremovedfromorsubstitutedinproductformulasinthelastfewyears.
How do we MAke iT woRk?Astrongmotivationtomakethingsworkisasharedbeliefamongemployeesindoingtherightthing,andCiPisaclearexample.Managementkeepsrecognizingtheprogram’simportancebycontinuouslygivingittoppriority.AnotherkeyistoprovidethepeoplethroughoutthecompanytheinformationandtoolsnecessarytomonitortheprogressoftheCiPandthestatusofthechemicalsweuseinourproducts.inthatrespectwemanageacentralChemicalinformationSystemwhichisaccessibletoallSaraLeeemployeesandwhichprovidesinformationaboutthepropertiesandtheCiPstatusforallchemicalsused(orexpectedtobeused)inourproducts.The“CiPcheck”isalsomadeanintegralpartofstandardactivitieslikenewproductdevelopmentorproductmaintenance.inthiswaywemaintaintheawareness,continuityandtheintegrityoftheprocess.
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exAMPleS of CHAllenging SuBSTiTuTionS in SARA lee PRoduCTSinthepasttwoyears,ourCiPaddressedanumberof(categoriesof)chemicals,including:
•Phthalates(o.a.deP,didP,dinP,dnOP,deHPdBP,BBP)•nitroMusksandpolycyclicMusks(PCMs)•Triclosan•PVC
OneoftheverychallengingCiPprojectswastheremovalofPCMsfromourproducts.SincePCMsareanimportantpartofthefragrancesforwhichmanyofourproductsandbrandsareknown,thiswasregardedasbusinesssensitiveandhighrisk.
Weorganizedanextensiveprojectincooperationwiththeinvolvedfragrancehouses,fromwhichwerequestednewrawmaterials(i.e.,fragrances)accordingtothenewCiPrequirements.inparallel,allrelevantSaraLeeR&ddepartmentsstartednecessaryreformulatingtheproductsaffected.Therequiredtests,likestabilityofthenewformulations,biophysicalandsensory
evaluationswereallperformedbyourownR&dgroup.Moreoveraninternalfragranceexpertpanelwastrainedfortheimportanttaskofmatchingthesmellsensationrelatedtotheproducts,afeaturethatiswellknown,recognizableandveryimportantforthebrands.
Anotherexamplewasremovingfromallourliquidhandsoapstheingredientwhichsupportedthe“antibacterial”claim,Triclosan.itssubstitutehadtobeatleastaseffectiveandhavecomparableperformanceandcompatibilityintheformulation.inthisparticularcase,ourmicrobiologydepartmentworkedincooperationwithproductdevelopersfrominvolvedcategoriestoprovidethenecessarysupport.Performancedataderivedfromnumeroustestswerecombinedwithsafetyandenvironmentalprofileinformationresultinginarankingofthedifferentalternativesbasedonbestperformancewiththeleastimpactonhealthandenvironment.
Thesubstituteofchoicewaslacticacid,whichiseffective,hasverylowtoxicity,agoodenvironmentalprofileand–aboveallalsonaturallyoccursinthehumanbodyandtheskinasoneofthenaturalSkinMoisturizers.
ThesuccessofthisandotherchemicalsubstitutionprojectswithinSaraLeeisaresultofastronginvolvementandcooperationbetweendepartments(R&d,marketing,procurementandoperations)coordinatedbyaCSRsteeringteamandinspiredbyamanagementteamwithastrongvisionforbetterandmoreresponsibleproducts.
Today,theCiPisimbeddedinourwayofdoingbusinessandtheChemSec’ssubstitutioninitiativerepresentsanaturalfitthathelpstheprogramgrow.Weinviteallstakeholdersinvolvedinbringingthebestpossibleproductstosocietytoconsiderembracingthisworthyinitiative.Withtransparency,consensusandaclearvisionforacleaner,saferandbrighterfuture.
SaraLee
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SARA Lee
innOVATiVedeSignAndTeCHnOLOgieSinTUneWiTHenViROnMenTALPROgReSS
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications is a global provider of mobile multimedia devices, including feature-rich phones, accessories and PC cards. The products combine powerful technology with innovative applications for mobile imaging, music, communications and enter tainment.
Thecompanywasestablishedin2001andisajointventurebetweenSonyCorporationandTelefonaktiebolagetLMericsson.SonyericssonislocatedatdifferentplacesaroundtheglobewithmanagementbasedinLondonandR&dinSweden,Uk,France,netherlands,india,Japan,ChinaandtheUS.MostoftheproductionislocatedtoAsia,bothwithinSonyericssonandforoursuppliers.
differentcomponents,madebyavarietyofsuppliersindiversepartsoftheworld,makeupourhandsetsandaccessories.Weactonaglobalmarketwhereourproductscanbefoundinmostpartsoftheworld.
AtSonyericsson,webelievethatsustainabledevelopmentandproductionisoneofthemostimportantchallengesforthefutureandthatitisachallengethatrequiresimmediateactionfromtheindustry.Ourmissionistoreducetheuseofharmfulsubstancesinourproductsandtherebyprovideourcustomersandenduserswiththemostenvironmentallyfriendlyproductsonthemarket.inordertofulfilourmission,westrivetoidentifyandeliminatethosesubstancesthatmayconstituteariskforhumanhealthandtheenvironment,andreplacethemwithsaferalternatives.
Someexamplesinworkingproactively,istheworkwehavebeendoinginphasingoutsubstancesofconcern.
Oneofthesubstancecategoriesthathavebeenhighlightedinmedia,byauthoritiesandbyenvironmentalorganisationsisbrominatedflameretardants.Thesecompoundsareusedto,amongall,tomakearticlesflameproofandpreventfirestobreakout.Thisisofcourseaveryimportantaspecttoelectronicproducts,butsomeofthebrominatedflameretardantshavebeenidentifiedashazardousforhealthandtheenvironment,whileothersaresuspectedtohaveharmfulproperties.When
theeURoHSdirectivewentintoeffect,someflameretardantswherebannedtobeusedinelectronicproducts,butatSonyericssonwedidnotwantsubstancesinourproductsthatcouldconstituteariskfortheenvironmentorourconsumers.
Wehavethereforecontinuouslybeenphasingouthalogenatedflameretardantsinourproducts.Wheretherehavebeenreadilyavailablealternatives,wehavephasedouttheseflameretardantsandreplacedthemwithsaferalternatives.Togetherwithsuppliers,wehaveconstantlybeenworkingonfindingalternativestohalogenatedflameretardantsforallapplicationsinmobilephonesandaccessories.Thishasresultedinthatfromthe1January2008,wewillbetotallyfreefromallhalogenatedflameretardantsinallournewproductsplacedonthemarketglobally.
Furtheron,wehavetakenactionsregardingPolyvinylChloride(PVC)thathavebeendiscussedduetoitschemicalproperties.WhenPVCisburning,itleadstothecreationofhydrochloricacid,butalsodioxins.dioxinsareoneofthemosttoxicsubstancesknown,andisreadilyaccumulatedinthefatofanimals,especiallyfattyfishessuchasSalmon.dioxinsareknownmutagensandcarcinogensandalsocauseseriousskindiseases.
duetoitsproperties,wehaveworkedhardtofindalternativestoPVCandnowmostSonyericssonproductsarefreefromPVC.TheonlyexemptionissomeearlymodelchargersandaccessoriesthatstillhavesomePVCincables,butwearestrivingtophaseouttheseassoonaspossible.
AtSonyericssonwearemonitoringnewinformationregardingthepropertiesofthesubstancesusedinourproducts.Tobeabletoreachourenvironmentaltargets,weworktogetherwithoursuppliersofcomponents,toidentifycomponentswheresubstancesofconcernareusedandtophaseoutthesesubstancesfromourproducts.Webelieve,thattomakeagoodjob,wehavetoworkinclosecooperationwithpartnersandsuppliersandtogivethesethesupport,informationandeducationinmattersrelatedtochemicalsmanagementandenvironmenttoreachthegoalswehaveset.
Toinformandhelpoursupplierstounderstandourrequirements,wearrangeworkshopsandtrainingsessionsonenvironmentalissuesregardingsubstances.Thesesessionsareheld
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withindividualsuppliers,onsitewhenneeded,whereweindetailcandiscusschallengesandpotentialsolutionstothem.Thesefacetofacemeetingsresultinmutualconfidenceandtrust,andhelpbothusasaglobalproviderofmobiledevicesandoursupplierstodevelopandincreaseourknowledgeoftheproductsweareproducing.
Tobeabletohavefulldisclosureofthematerialcontentofourproducts,wehaveintroducedasystemtoobtainmaterialdeclarationsforallcomponentsandpartsinourproducts.Thesystemweareusingisfullyautomatedandgivesusthebenefittohavetotalcontrolofthesubstancesusedinourproducts.Bythis,wearefurtherstrengtheningourobjectivetoreducephaseoutunwantedsubstancesinourproducts.
TheSonyericssonenvironmentalteamisalwayspreparedtoanswerquestionsfromsuppliersandtogivesupporttojointlysolveissuesrelatedtodevelopmentandproductionofthemostenvironmentallyfriendlymobilephones.
Futurechallengesforourcompanyare,amongstothers,tophaseoutberylliumanditscompounds,antimonyanditscompoundsandphthalates.
Ourexperienceshowsthatinnovativedesignandtechnologiesisnotincontradictionwithenvironmentalprogressandawareness.Webelieveweallhavetoactpreventativelytoreachasustainableuseofnaturalresourcesandasoundenvironment.
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SOny eR iCSSOn
CHeMiCALSMAnAgeMenTinReTAiL:CHALLengeSAndOPPORTUniTieS
H&M was established in Sweden 1947 and sells clothes and cosmetics through our more than 1500 stores in over 28 countries, employing more than 68,000 people. With Germany still our biggest market, H&M continues to expand to new markets and during 2007, the net increase of stores was 177. In 2007 H&M expanded into China, Slovakia, Greece and Qatar, and the turnover exceeded SEK 92 billion.
In REACH terms, H&M is a ’downstream user’ and ’import-er of articles’. H&M does not own or run manufacturing plants ourselves, but is a major purchasing power, con-tinuously working with over 700 suppliers worldwide.
PHASing ouT HARMful CHeMiCAlS fRoM TexTileSManyprocessesinvolvedinmakinggarments,suchasspinning,knitting,bleaching,printing,dyeingetc.requiretheuseofvariouschemicals.itcouldbeknittingoils,bleachingagents,
dyestuff,softenersetc.Thosechemicalsareessentialforproducinggarmentsthatmeetconsumers’demands.Somechemicalssuchasdyestuffsareintendedtostayinthefabricafterprocessingtoaddvaluetotheproduct.Otherchemicalsareusedonlytofacilitatetheprocessingofthefabricbutevenafterrinsingtheymayremainasunavoidableimpurities.
H&M’squalityconceptrequiresthegarmentstobemanufacturedwithouttheuseofenvironmentallyhazardouschemicalsorharmfulsubstancesandtobeproducedundergoodworkingconditions.AsatooltoachievethisH&Mpublished,forthefirsttimealreadyin1995,asetofstandardsknownasH&MChemicalRestrictions,whichisalistofchemicalsthatH&Mbanorrestrictfromourproducts.ThelistcoverslegislationswithinH&M’ssalescountries,butthemainpartofthelistisbasedontheprecautionaryprinciple.H&Mcontinuouslymonitorsnewchemicalrelatedinformationthatbecomesavailablefromauthorities,ngO’setc.andupdatestherestrictionsasneededinordertocontinuetomakeitrepresentthatprinciple.Thelatestupdatewasmadeindecember2007.Afewexamplesofsubstancesthathavebeenphasedoutinfavourofsubstitutesarebrominatedflameretardants,phthalates,nonylphenolethoxylatesandPVC.eachsuppliertoH&Mneedstosignacommitmenttocomplywiththerestrictions.H&Meducatesandsupportssuppliersregardingtherestrictionsandalsoperformsteststomakesureproductscomply.
SuPPly CHAin CHAllengeSThesupplychainofaconsumerproductlikeagarmentisoftenverylongandcomplicatedwithvarioussubcontractorsspreadoutgeographically.Foratypicalgarment,thesesubcontractorscouldincludefarmers,traders,spinners,weavers,dyemills,printers,accessoriesproducersandchemicalmanufacturers.Togettherightinformationthroughtoallinvolvedpeopleisprobablythebiggestchallengeingettingcompliantproducts.Therefore,H&Mhaschemistsemployedatourofficesintheproductionmarketswhofrequentlyvisitsuppliersandtheirsubcontractors.ThepurposeoftheirworkistomakesurethatH&M’srequirementsarewellknownandunderstoodthroughoutthesupplychain,andthatsuppliershaveasuitablechemicalmanagementsysteminordertopreventandavoidanynoncompliance.
PHOTOgRAPHeRPetergehrke
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WebelievethatReACHwillbeofgreathelpinthisworkasitwillfacilitateandimprovetheinformationflowfromchemicalmanufacturerstousers.ReACHwillalsofillinformationgapsandestablishclearcriteriaforidentifyingunacceptablesubstances,forallretailerstouse.Havingthesameobligationsinplaceforallactorsontheeuropeanmarketwillcreateleverageinthesupplychainsothatweallcangetsaferproductsmorecosteffective.
CooPeRATion foR BeTTeR CoMPliAnCeMoreandmoreretailersaresettinguprequirementsforthechemicalcontentoftheproductstheybuy.Thespecificdemandsmightdifferbetweencompaniesdependingonwheretheymarkettheirproducts,buttheobjectiveisoftenthesame;topurchaseandsellsaferproducts.in2005,H&MjoinedtheApparelandFootwearinternationalRSLManagementWorkinggroup(AFiRM),withover10majorretailersasitsmembers.AFiRM’smissionistoreducetheuseandimpactofharmfulsubstancesintheapparelandfootwearsupplychain.Thisispartlyachievedbyorganisingseminarsforthesupplychaintospreadinformationaboutrestrictedchemicalsandhowtocontrolthem.nextsuchseminarwilltakeplaceinnewdelhi,india,seewww.afirmgroup.comformoreinformation.
Withmanyretailerssharingsuppliers,cooperationlikethisisaperfectwaytoincreasesuppliers’knowledgeandalsotoshareinformationandbenefitfromeachothers’experiences.
PRePARATionS foR ReACHArticles6and7ofReACHestablishobligationstoregisterandnotifysubstancesinpreparationsandarticlesthatareproducedinorimportedintotheeuropeanUnion.H&Mwill,forrelevantproductsaccordingtoarticle6suchascosmeticscarryoutthenecessarypreregistrations.AccordingtoArticle7.2ofReACH,eachimporterofarticles(e.g.garment)intotheeUshallnotifytheeuropeanChemicalsAgency(eCHA)ifthosearticlescontainsubstancesofveryhighconcern(SVHC)aboveacertainconcentrationandtheirtotalamountexceeds1tonperyear.SinceanofficialSVHClistdoesnotyetexist,H&Mhascreateditsownwithinformationretrievedfromvariouspublicdatabases,usingthecriteriainarticle57ofReACH.AnysubstancesonthatlistdeemedrelevantforourproductrangehavebeenaddedtoH&MChemicalRestrictionswhichworksasanindustryspecificSHVClist.H&M’sintentionistonotpurchasearticlesthatrequirenotification.AllinordertomakesurewecontinuetoworkaccordingtooneofReACH’smainprinciples;theprecautionary.
ConCluSionAstrongReACHwithstrictandclearguidelineswillfacilitateH&M’sworktoensurethatallproductsweofferourcustomersarefreefromsubstancesthatare,orcouldpotentiallybe,harmfulforhealthandenvironment.Safeproductscanonlybeachievedthroughpartnershipamongretailers,suppliersandmanufacturers.
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PHOTOgRAPHeRemmetMalmström
H&M
FRedBUTLeR®–ASUSTAinABLeSUCCeSS
BACkgRound – enviRonMenTAl effeCTS of TRAdiTionAl dRy CleAningintheeU,approximately60.000drycleaningshopsclean2,2milliontonnesoftextileseachyear,utilizing75.000cleaningmachines.Around95%,ofthesedrycleaningshopsusethechlorinatedhydrocarbonperchloroethylene(tetrachloroethylene,“perc”),asolventhazardoustobothpeopleandtheenvironment.intheeURiskAssessmentReport,thesolventindustryassociationestimateannualemissionsof8000to50000tonnesofpercfromdrycleaningintotheeuropeanenvironment,dependingontheefficiencyoftheimplementationoftheSolventemissiondirective.
Percisknowntohavetoxiceffects(skineffects,neurotoxicologicalimpairment,liverandkidneydamage),severalstudieshaveindicatedthatitmayalsobeteratogenicforpregnantwomen.ThesolventisclassifiedasapossibleorprobablecarcinogenbytheresponsibleauthoritiesintheeU,theUSandwithintheWHO.
Percisalsotoxictoourenvironment.itcauseslongtermdamagetoplantsandaquaticorganisms,hastoxicbreakdownproductsandisdifficultfornaturetodecompose.Today,oneineverytenwellsinCaliforniaispollutedwithperc,asarewellsfromnewyorktoTelAvivtoMalmö.
CHAllenge – innovATing To find eCo-fRiendly AlTeRnATiveSinthe1980’s,theUSaircraftindustrydevelopedprocedurestocleansensitiveelectronicswithcarbondioxide(CO2).in1996,Hughesallowedagroupofmanufacturerstousethepatentstotrytodeveloptextilecleaning.industrialenterpriseAgAwasabletojoinasthesolegascompany.inlate2000AgA,nowownedbyLindeAg,startedtolookintothedevelopmentofadditives.AdevelopmentprogramforCO2cleaningwasformedbasedonresearchfrombothcompanies.
TheLindegroupisaworldleadingindustrialgasesandengineeringcompanywithmorethan50,000employeesworkinginaround100countriesworldwide.in2005,theCeOofTheLindegroup,ProfessordrWolfgangReitzlechosetointroducetheCO2methodastheexampleforthefuture–anenvironmentallyfriendlyB2BandB2Cproductofferingthechancetorevolutioniseandrevitaliseastagnantindustry.inAugust2005,LindeAglaunchedtheFredButler®franchiseconceptfortheCO2drycleaningofgarments,textiles,leatherandfur.
Whiledevelopingadditives,TheLindegroupalsostartedthedevelopmentofanewcleaningmachinetogetherwithelectrolux.FredButler®anditsfranchiseesnowhaveexclusiveaccesstoelectroluxequipmentincludingtheworld’smostecofriendlyCO2machineaswellaswetcleaningandfinishingsystems.
SuCCeSS – CleAn Co2 dRy CleAningWhenCO2iscompresseditturnsintoaliquidwithverylowviscosityandsurfacetension,enablingittopenetrateandcleaneventhesmallestporesinthefabric.
Comparingthecleaningperformancestainremoval,fabriceffects,energyuse,safetyandpriceofFredButler®CO2cleaningwithfouralternativesincludingperc,the2005eUdeTeCTiVestudyconcludedthatCO2cleaningwasthebestintheoverallcomparison,followedbywetcleaning.FredButler®offeringboththesemethodsasrequiredenablesthecleaningofawidespectrumofsoilingandtextiles.Thecleaningmethodwasfoundtobemoregentletosensitivefabricssuchaslinenandwoolthanthealternativemethods.StudyexpertsnotedthatasCO2cleaningavoidshighspincyclesandheat,garmentlifeislengthenedby30to40percent.
SuCCeSS – THe only eCo-lABelled dRy CleAning AlTeRnATiveCarbondioxide,CO2,isnontoxic,nonflammablegas.CO2drycleaningenablestheefficientuseofthegasgeneratedasabyproductinmanyotherindustrialprocessesthatcouldotherwisehavebeenemitteddirectly.UsingonlyexistingCO2,themethoddoesnotcontributetoglobalwarming.98,5percentofthegasispurifiedandrecycledaftereachcleaningprocedure.
CO2replacesnonrenewableresourcessuchasperchloroethyleneandhydrocarbons,eliminatingfurtherairandgroundwatercontaminationbyperc.italsoimprovesworkingconditionsandeliminatesanyriskstopregnantdrycleaners.Furthermore,theFredButler®CO2cleaningprocessusesonlyafractionoftheelectricityandwaterusedbypercdrycleaners.
The only Swan-labelled dry cleaner
Fred Butler® is today the only dry cleaner to meet the definite
requirements of Europe’s biggest and oldest eco-labels: the Nordic
Swan and the German Blue Angel. Source: Fred Butler®
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TheFredButler®Washpoint™detergentsusedforCO2cleaning,aswellasthoseusedforwetcleaning,arebiodegradable.Possiblehazardouswastefromtheclothes(nonylphenoletoxylatesetc.)isseparatedfordisposalinanenvironmentallysafeway.CO2cleanedtextilescomeoutofthemachinedryandfreeofirritatingchemicalsorodours.
TheFredButler®drycleaningmethodhasbeenawardedtwoofthebestknownecolabelsineurope–thegermanBlueAngelandthenordicSwan.Usingindependenttests,theecolabelsconsidertheenvironmentalimpactthroughouttheproductlifecycle,aswellasproductperformance.Theproductmustofferfeaturesthatareatleastasgoodasothersimilarproductsandthecriteriaareregularlyrevised.
Today,onlyCO2andwetcleaningdonotusevolatileorganicsolvents.Sincewetcleaningisnotanalternative,butacomplementarymethodtothevariousdrycleaningprocesses,theecolabelshavebothidentifiedCO2cleaningastheonlydrycleaningalternativemeetingtheircriteria.
in2005theeULiFecommitteeappointedCO2drycleaningasthesecondbestoutof500newenvironmentaltechnologyprojects,notingthat“Thistechnologycouldreplaceperccompletelywithinthenexttwodecades.itsuptakewilldependontheobsolescenceofcurrentpercmachines,thepriceandcontrolofthetraditionalsolvent,availableinvestmentfunds,knowledgetransferandgovernmentalregulations”.
fuTuRe – TowARdS HigHeR STAndARdSinnorthAmerica,theauthoritieshavestartedtotakeactioninfavourofsustainablealternatives.intheUS,newperccleanerswerebannedfromresidentialbuildingsin2006,withatotalbaninsuchbuildingsby2020.in2007,Californiaannouncedatotal
phaseoutofpercdrycleaningby2023,offeringcleanersgrantsandrecommendingCO2andwetcleaning.Today,thereareproposalstorestrictorphaseoutpercinMassachusetts,newJersey,newyork,PhiladelphiaandToronto.
in2008,denmarkmadeitsbanonnewperccleanersinresidentialbuildingspermanent.Otherthanthat,europeannationalandinternationalauthoritieshavenotyettakeninitiativestofurthertheintroductionofthenewsustainabledrycleaningtechnologiesintermsofpublicpurchasingpriorities,residentialbuildingregulations,initiativesforaphaseoutorother.Consequently,thedemandforsustainabletechniquesmotivatingpossiblenewmarketentrantsiscurrentlymuchhigherintheUSthanineurope.WhileothermarketentrantswaitforeuropeanregulatoryinitiativestocatchupwiththeUS,FredButler®doesnot.in2007,thecompanycleanedonemilliongarmentsaccordingtothehighestenvironmentalstandardsandthesameyearProfessordrReitzle,CeOofTheLindegroupannouncedthat”Wearecommittedtodevelopingthisbusinessmodel,investingaround50millioneurosinoutletsandcleaningfacilitiesby2011.ThroughFredButler®,wewillmakeasustainablecontributiontoprotectingtheenvironment–andtocreatingnewjobs.”AtTheLindegroupandFredButler®,webelieveinsubstitution–asubstitutionthatisbetterforyou,betterforyourtextilesandbetterforourenvironment–andweinviteall–politicians,cleaners,companies,consumersandothers–tojoinusinhelpingtocreateacleanerfuture.
Clean dry cleaningClean dry cleaning
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Fred Butler® and The Linde Group hope to offer one of the world’s most efficient uses of CO2, enabling the reuse of an industrial by-product and a further puri-fication and recycling of 98,5 percent of the gas each wash cycle. Fred Butler®
soon hope to be able to offer 99,5 percent recycling every wash cycle. Source: The Linde Group
FR ed BUTLeR
SUBSTiTUTiOnOFHAzARdOUSSUBSTAnCeSinCOnSTRUCTiOnMATeRiALS
THe BASTA SySTeMTheSwedishbuildingandpropertysectorhashighlightedtheuseofparticularlyhazardoussubstancesasoneofthesector’skeyenvironmentalaspectsinits2010actionplan.Theplanincludesreachingagreementonadefinitionofthosesubstancepropertieswhichshouldformthebasisforphasingout.ThepropertiescriteriacontainedintheBASTAsystemhavebeenadoptedasthesector’scommondefinition.Anumberoflargerbusinessesandorganisationswithinthesectorhavepreviouslydrawnupphaseoutlists,avoidancelists,etc.,whichhavebeenusedtotrytostoptheuseofproductswhichcontainanyofthesehighlightedsubstances.Thewiderangeofsuchsubstancelistsandthedifferencesbetweenthemhavebeenasourceofconfusionwithinthesector,andhavecreatedadditionalworkforthosewhohavehadtoassesswhetherornotaproductcanbeaccepted.
Thebuildingandpropertysectorhasalsoagreedonasystemforvoluntaryselfdeclarations–“buildingproductdeclarations”–whichmustincludethesupplier’sdescriptionoftheproducts’chemicalcomposition.However,theworkisprogressingslowlyand10yearsaftertheintroductionofbuildingproductdeclarations,theseonlyexistforasmallproportionofallconstructionproducts.Theabilitytodecidewhetherornotaproductisfreefromspecifichazardoussubstancesisthusseriouslylimited.Suchdeclarationsalsoplacesignificantrequirementsintermsofchemicalexpertiseonthosewhousethemasabasisforphasingout.
Asameansofsupportforprioritisingconstructionproductswhichdonotcontainhazardoussubstances,avarietyofdifferentsystemsanddatabasesareavailablewhichmaterialsexpertscanusetoassessproductsbasedontheinformationwhichthesuppliersprovideinbuildingproductdeclarationsoronsafetydatasheets.Here,BASTA’spositionistostateclearlywhichsubstancepropertiesshouldactasabasisforassessment,andthattheresponsibilityforthisassessmentlieswiththesupplier
BASTA: A ConCReTe APPliCATion of ReACHConstructioncompanies,projectmanagersandotherswhodealwithselectingproductscanuseBASTAtoprioritisetheuseofproductswhichhavebeenqualityassuredtoconfirmthat
theydonotcontainanysubstanceswithparticularlyhazardousproperties.BASTAalsoaimstoencouragethedevelopmentofnewproductstoreplacethosewhichcontainhazardoussubstances.Theinitiativewastakenin2002bythemajorconstructioncompaniestogetherwiththeirindustrybody,theSwedishConstructionFederation,todevelopacommonindustrysystemforphasingouthazardoussubstances.Thestartingpointforthedevelopmentworkwastoadopttheprinciplesatanearlystageoftheplannedeuropeanchemicallegislation,ReACH.Thiswasdonebyworkingunequivocallyandjointlyacrosstheentiresectortodefineanumberofundesirablesubstancepropertiesandbyshiftingtheburdenofprooftothesupplier,whichistaskedwithcertifyingthatitsproductsdonotcontainanysubstanceswhichhavethehighlightedhazardousproperties.
Thepropertiescriteriaarebasedonthe“substancesofveryhighconcern”highlightedinReACH:CMR,vPvBandPBT,plussubstancessuchaslead,mercuryandcadmium.Byreplacingtheavoidancelists,etc.,whichhadbeendrawnuppreviouslywithanumberofsubstanceproperties,BASTAhasarrivedataphasingoutsystemwhichalsoincludesnewsubstanceswithhazardouspropertieswhichhavenotyetbeenidentifiedbytheusersofmaterials.TheBASTAsystemhasalsochosenonlytopermitsuchproductswhichhaveacontentthatisknowntothesupplier,andwherethecomponentsubstanceshavebeeninvestigatedintermsofimpactonhealthandtheenvironment.Thisfollowsthe“nodata,nomarket”principle.
Thedevelopmentofthesystemwascompletedinnovember2006.BASTAhasbeendevelopedinclosecollaborationbetweenthevariousplayerswithinthesector,andhasthereforebeenwellreceivedrightfromthestart.Today,theBASTAsystemcontainsmorethan10,000articlesfromaround100suppliers,wherebythesuppliershaveconfirmedthattheymeetthesystem’spropertiescriteria,andwherebythesuppliershavealsoconfirmedthattheymeetanumberofqualificationrequirementsintermsoftheircompetenceandtheirassessmentproceduresfortheirproducts.Thedatabaseisfullyaccessibleviathesystem’swebsite:www.bastaonline.se
ReSulTS And exPeRienCe TheoverallaimofBASTAistoprovidesupportforphasingouthazardoussubstances,andthissubstitutiontakesplaceatdifferentlevels.
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Akeystartingpointintermsoftheopportunitiesforphasingouthazardoussubstancesfromconstrutionproductsisthatrequirementsforthisareincludedinprocurementdocumentation.Theearlierinthechain(buildingcontractor–contractor–supplier–manufacturer)suchrequirementsareintroduced,thegreatertheopportunitiesforthistoactuallyhaveanimpactwhenappliedinpractice.
OneexampleistheCityofMalmö,whichplacedrequirementsinlinewithBASTAonthethirteenbuildingcontractorsinvolvedintheWesternHarbourdevelopment.AnevaluationofthebuildingcontractorstakingpartinthisdialogueshowsthatallthebuildingcontractorshadundergoneBASTAtraining,butthattheyencounteredanumberofproblemswhenitcametotheactualapplicationofthesystem.Forexample,onlyaroundhalfofthebuildingcontractorshadaskedtheirsupplierstoregistertheirconstructionproductsinBASTA.noneofthebuildingcontractorsconsideredmakingconstructionchangesasaresultofmaterialsnotbeinglistedinBASTA.
BASTA And nCCnCCConstructionSwedenusestheBASTAsystemasamaintoolforsubstitutinghazardoussubstances.nCCputthesystemintopracticealmostthreeyearsago,inJanuary2006.Sincethen,nCChasputagreatdealofworkandeffortintopersuadingitssupplierstojoinBASTA.nCCworkscontinuallywitheducation,informationandcompanyrulesonsubstitutionandtheuseofBASTA
externally,nCCworkswiththeSwedishConstructionFederationandotherkeyorganisationstoimplementBASTAwithintheSwedishconstructionindustryasawhole.OneimportantstepthathasbeentakenistheinclusionofBASTAinformationaboutarticlesinatradingsystem,Finfo,andcooperationbetweennCCandtheFinfoorganisationtogetthisinformationincludedinnCC’selectronictradingtool.ThismeansthatnCC’spurchasersgetuptodateinformationaboutarticlesandaneasytousesubstitutiontool.
SincenCCisaninternationalcompany,thesuppliersarenotonlybasedinSwedenbutalsoinothercountries.inthesecasesthesuppliermaynotfeelthatjoiningBASTAisrelevant.ifso,nCCstillappliestheBASTAcriteriatothesupplier’sproductsanddemandsthatthearticlesmeetthecriteria.
itisstilltooearlytohighlightspecificexampleswheresystematicsubstitutionhastakenplacethankstoBASTA.However,thepiecesarefallingintoplaceonebyone,andnCCbelievesthatBASTAhasabrightfuture.
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PHOTOgRAPHeRStenJansin
nCC
BeUCSTATeMenTOnCOnSUMeRSAFeTy
Today,wearesurroundedbytensofthousandsofchemicalsubstancesthataddtoourcomfort,convenienceandqualityoflife.Wecanhardlydowithoutthem.
Unfortunatelywedonotknowenoughabouttheeffectsonourhealthandtheenvironmentofexposuretosomanydifferentchemicalsubstancesfromsomanydifferentsources.Avastmajorityofthechemicalsinusehaveindeedneverbeenfullyandadequatelyassessedintermsoftheirpotentialimpactsonhumanhealthandtheenvironment.
Mostofthesechemicalsmayposenoriskforconsumersandtheenvironmentbutwedonotknowforsure.inaddition,evenwhentheexposuretoonespecificchemicalfromanyonesourceislowand,onitsown,carrylittleornorisk,itmayaddtotheoverall“chemicalcocktail”andgivescauseforconcern.
indecember2006,ReACHwasformallyadoptedbytheeUinstitutions.inoverall,theRegulationisamajorstepforwardtoaddresschemicalrisksforconsumersandtheenvironmentbutmuchmorewasandisstillneededtoensureahighofprotectionforconsumersandtheenvironment.Thechallengenowistotakewhathasbeenagreed,tomakesurethatthenewregimeworksinpracticewhilecontinuingtopressstronglyforprecautionarymeasurestobetakentoreduceourtotalexposuretochemicalsfromallsources.ifReACHistowork,theassessmentauthoritiesmustalsohavefullaccesstoindustryinformationonchemicals.
Unfortunately,withReACH,thevastbulkofchemicalsweareexposedtowillnotbeassessedastheyshouldbe.UnderReACH,manyhazardoussubstanceswillbeauthorisediftheriskstheyposeare‘adequatelycontrolled’andotherswillsimplybeallowedontheeUmarket,inparticularinconsumerproducts,withouthavingtoundergoasafetyevaluation.Finally,regardingaccesstoinformation,consumerswillonlybeallowedtorequestinformationaboutthepresenceofalimitednumberofhazardouschemicalsinproducts(thoseofveryhighconcern).intheimplementationofReACH,BeUCadvocatesforconsumerandenvironmentalexposuretochemicalstobeloweredbyavoidingorreducingtheuseofhazardouschemicals,inparticularinconsumerproductsthatareusedonadailybasis.
WeencourageeuropeanAuthoritiestocontinuetoplayaleadingroleinternationally,byensuringthattheReACHAuthorisationprocesslivesuptotheambitionofreducingconsumers’exposuretopotentiallydangerouschemicals.
inthiscontext,wecallforaprecautionaryapproachtobefavouredbylegislatorswhenassessingwhichchemicalstocontrolundertheAuthorisationregime.
notwithstandingtheregulatoryprocess,wealsoencouragemanufacturersofconsumergoodstoshouldertheircorporateresponsibility,byactivelyshiftingawayfromproducts,processesandmaterialscontainingpotentialhighconcernchemicals.Hazardoussubstances,suchassubstancesofveryhighconcern,hormonaldisrupters,sensitizersandneurotoxics,shouldbereplacedwithsaferchemicalswheneverpossible,inparticularwhencontainedinproductswithwhichconsumersareincloseand/orregularcontact.
Unlessanduntilweknowmoreabouttherisksthatchemicalspresentforconsumersandtheenvironment,wetrusttherearegoodreasonstotrytoreduceourexposuretohazardouschemicals.
Laura DegallaixSenior Policy Officer, Environment and Safety, BEUC
The European Consumers’ Organisation Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs
B eUC
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International Chemical Secretariat
box 7005, SE-402 31 Göteborg, SwedenPhone: +46(0)31-711 04 95 E-mail: [email protected]
www.chemsec.org
ChemSec (The international Chemical Secretariat) is a non-profit
organisation founded in 2002 by four leading environmental
organisations in northern europe. The overall objective of
ChemSec is an environment free from toxic chemicals. we are
striving to reach broad acceptance and participation in society
for Precaution, Substitution, Polluter Pays and Right-to-know as
leading principles towards the goal. our work spans seminars,
workshops, booklets and lectures, all geared towards informing
and enlightening public debate on the necessary steps towards
a toxic-free environment.
2011
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