The substitution of hazardous substances is an important measure to protect the environment, as well as the health and safety of workers and consumers. European and international legislation emphasises the need for substitution or compels enterprises to find alternative solutions due to substance restrictions.

The recent European Chemical Agency’s Stakeholders meeting launched www.subsport.eu. The portal is intended to support companies in fulfilling substitution requirements of EU legislation, such as those specified under the REACH authorisation procedure, the Water Framework Directive or the Chemical Agents Directive.

Substitution may be fast and easy or a more complex process. Generally it includes the following steps:

  • Define the problem
  • Set substitution criteria
  • Search for alternatives
  • Assess and compare alternatives
  • Experiment on pilot
  • Implement and improve

 

The project partners offer the following information on the internet portal SUBSPORT and make it publicly available in four languages:

  • a structured presentation of legal information on substitution throughout the European Union and, in part, on an international and national level
  • a database of hazardous substances that are legally or voluntarily restricted or subjects of public debates
  • a compilation of prevalent criteria for the identification of hazardous substances
  • a description of existing substitution tools to compare and assess alternative substances and technologies
  • a database comprising case stories from companies and literatures with general information on alternatives to the use of hazardous substances
  • a database containing detailed and evaluated case stories which document practical experiences in the substitution of 10 selected substances of very high concern in various essential applications
  • concepts and materials for substitution training programmes
  • interactive elements for discussion, networking, exchange of information and experience as well as for portal updates

 

ECHA also recently announced proposals that 5 new substances be considered for harmonized classification and labelling. The 5 substances are:

  • Isoxaflutole
  • Tembetrione
  • Metosulam
  • Potassium Sorbate
  • Tetraakis (2.6-dimethyiphenyl)-m-phenylene biphosphate