Safe Chemicals Innovation Agenda An initiative from the Ministry of - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Safe Chemicals Innovation Agenda

An initiative from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (The Netherlands)

Workshop March 28th 2018 Amsterdam, The Netherlands

• Objectives
• Key concepts
• Overview of methodology
• Draft research themes & questions

Agenda

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Objectives

Safe Chemicals Innovation Agenda

• This initiative: develop research agenda…

– Collection of scientific/technical issues holding back transition to safer chemicals, materials and products – Need for public policy support – Guidance for R&D policies EU and Member States – Involving and led by stakeholders

• This workshop: … led and implemented by you

– Present methodology and draft research themes and questions – Gather your contribution and feedback

Objectives

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Key concepts

Safe Chemicals Innovation Agenda

Research theme

An area where new or different technical and scientific research will accelerate the safe design of chemicals, materials and products to achieve sustainable substitution of dangerous chemicals.

Research question

Specific research requirements arising from each theme. They relate to technical and scientific issues.

Our key concepts

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ECHA definition

The technical function describes the role that the substance fulfils when it is used (what it actually does in a process, mixture or article and the benefits it confers).

Our starting point

Consideration of function, rather than characterizing and managing risks associated with a particular chemical*.

We focus on functionality

*(Tickner, J. 2014 and 2015)

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Overview of methodology

Safe Chemicals Innovation Agenda

• Step 1 – develop the analytical framework
• Step 2 – conduct a literature review
• Step 3 – consult stakeholders
• Step 4 – draft a Research Agenda
• Step 5 – run today’s workshop!
• Step 6 – finalise the Research Agenda

Methodology

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Step 1 – Developing the analytical framework

Safe Chemicals Innovation Agenda

1. Relevance for health and the environment 2. Scientific and technical challenge 3. Level of substitution – Molecular – Material/process/product/service 4. Economic rationale and EU competitiveness aspects 5. Contribution to other sustainability aspects 6. Estimated research maturity level 7. Delivery and key stakeholders concerned

Analytical framework

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Step 2 – Conducting a literature review

Safe Chemicals Innovation Agenda

Critical review of relevant technical, scientific and policy publications and reports – High-level strategies for substitution and safe design – Scanning lists of hazardous chemicals – Substance / Function-specific literature – Screening of stakeholders websites for datasheets, press releases, reports – Other innovation agendas

Literature review

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Step 3 – Consulting stakeholders

Safe Chemicals Innovation Agenda

This is the key part of the study and is a collaborative exercise, involving:

– Industry representatives – Academia – Public sector – NGOs

The objective was to obtain an expanded list of research themes and questions.

Stakeholder consultation

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Stakeholder consultation

*(pending approval to disclose)

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Organisations that provided input Public bodies Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (NL) Ministry of Economic Affairs (NL) RIVM European Environment Agency European Chemical Agency European Commission (DG GROW and DG ENV) OECD World Health Organization Kemi US Environment Protection Agency NGOs ZDHC ChemSec ClientEarth ChemTrust Academia University of Massachusetts TU Delft Leuphana University ISC3 Vrije Universiteit TU Eindhoven York University DTU Denmark Brunel University Industry* 6 associations 12 companies

Feedback from stakeholders and buy-in

– Overall, consultees welcomed and endorsed the methodology proposed. – Industry consultees supported the focus on functionality, applications and sectors, rather than on specific substances. – A few consultees highlighted that they assess R&D needs based on the risk profile of substances, rather than with the hazard-based approach taken in the project. – Consultees systematically reported barriers other than technical or scientific, e.g. economic, institutional or organizational barriers.

Stakeholder consultation

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Step 4 – Preparing a Draft Research Agenda

Safe Chemicals Innovation Agenda

Preparing a draft Research Agenda

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Draft research themes

Safe Chemicals Innovation Agenda

– Water, grease and dust repellents – Flame retardants – Preservatives – Solvents – Plasticisers – Surfactants – Fertilisers – Pesticides – Curing agents

Draft research themes

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Repellents Most applied treatments for repellents are based on fluorochemicals (PFAS) – typically persistent in the environment, and in some cases, toxic and bio-accumulative. A recent report from the Swedish Chemicals Agency, indicates that at least 3,000 PFAS are currently on the global market, with few being the focus of

• research. There is a need to develop non-fluorine alternatives or non-chemical solutions with a similar degree
• f effectiveness.

Flame retardants (FR) Many brominated FR and chlorinated FR compounds are persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic and are associated with carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. The use of halogen-free alternative FRs such as organo-phosphorous compounds has increased in recent years, which has raised concern over their potential impact. Preservatives Preservatives have been highly regulated, due to potential endocrine effects, oestrogenic properties, carcinogenicity or skin allergies, resulting in the need to develop safe alternatives for preservatives that are key elements of food safety, cosmetics, etc.

Draft research themes

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Solvents Being volatile organic compounds (VOCs), conventional solvents contribute to air pollution, ozone depletion and can be flammable, explosive and toxic. This and their widespread use calls for a need to develop safe alternatives to solvents, in particular polar aprotic solvents. Plasticisers The widespread use of flexible PVC in products containing plasticisers can lead to high exposure of humans and the environment during the service life as well as in relation to waste management and recycling. Some alternative are available, but potential effects on human health and the environment are generally less well studied. Surfactants Many surfactants are known or suspected EDCs, affect the gut microflora, are immunotoxic and have other effects on humans and are highly toxic in the aquatic environment. They are bio-accumulative and being petroleum-based are from a non-renewable resource and are found in discharges from sewage treatment

• works. In view of the volumes of detergents used and released into the environment, there is a case for

developing alternatives.

Draft research themes

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Fertilisers The release of nutrients in the environment results in impacts on climate, human health, biodiversity and the quality of air, water and soil – generating costs from the nutrient loss and damage restoration. Other concerns include the presence of cadmium in phosphate fertilisers that can accumulate in soils, transfer to foodstuffs and have adverse effects on health, groundwater, etc. Pesticides Continued use of synthetic chemicals as pesticides are of concern due to damage to health and the environment and resurgence / inherited resistance among pests. Whilst older chemicals have been removed from the market new products are slow to emerge, partly due to regulatory requirements alongside consumer pressure. Curing agents Concern was raised by interviewees about the potential health/environmental risks associated with a number

• f chemical species used as curing agents in these processes, e.g. epoxide resins – aromatic amines,

polyurethane – isocyanates (e.g. MDI and TDI).

Draft research themes

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Thank you!

Kastalie Bougas: Tel +44 (0)7976 614 385 E-mail kastalie.bougas@woodplc.com David Tyrer : Tel +44 (0) 117 317 8962 E-mail david.tyrer@woodplc.com