On May 15, 2024, the European Joint Research Centre (JRC) published guidance for professionals and assessors to apply the voluntary Safe and Sustainable by Design framework (SSbD) to chemical and material development. “The overall goal [of the SSbD] is to help in preventing pollution whilst also reducing society’s environmental footprint.” This guidance is part of a second testing phase for the framework.
The SSbD consists of two interacting components: innovation/redesign and a 4+ step assessment plan. The assessment steps are (i) hazard assessment of chemicals and materials, (ii) human health and safety effects in the production and processing of those chemicals and materials, (iii) environmental sustainability, and (iv) application and end-of-life effects. There is an optional socio-economic assessment as a fifth step.
The guidance document describes the steps of the framework, how to define the boundaries of the system being assessed for safety and sustainability, and finally how to apply it. According to the authors, “[t]he SSbD framework recommends the use of the Environmental Footprint (EF) method” to assess the impacts and trade-offs of a chemical or material. The EF method focuses on a standardized framework and specific, defined, impact categories – to make comparisons easier.
The socio-economic assessment is optional, “due to the lower methodological maturity of the related disciplines,” but the guidance thoroughly covers what methods have been established.
The SSbD criteria are a key element of the Commission’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS, FPF reported) but applying the criteria does not guarantee compliance with all EU regulations.
The Commission is collecting feedback regarding the SSbD framework until August 30, 2024. To follow other comment opportunities, check the Food Packaging Forum’s consultations page.
Reference
JRC; Abbate, E.; Garmendia Aguirre, I.; Bracalente, G.; et al. “Safe and sustainable by design chemicals and materials – Methodological guidance.” European Commission.
