SSbD - Safe and Sustainable by Design

?? Exciting Collaboration Announcement! ?? ?? BASF, a global leader in the chemical industry, and TNO, a renowned research organization, are combining their expertise to develop advanced tools and methodologies. This collaboration aims to provide robust decision support systems that help companies design products that are not only high-performing but also safe for people and the environment. ?? Key Highlights: ?? Innovative Tools: Development of new decision support systems to assess and improve the safety and sustainability of products during the design phase. ?? Enhanced Methodologies: Implementing cutting-edge approaches to integrate SSbD principles into everyday product development. ?? Sustainability Goals: Contribution to global sustainability targets by promoting the creation of safer and more eco-friendly products. ?? Why It Matters: The demand for safer and more sustainable products is higher than ever in our rapidly changing world. We can prioritize safety and sustainability from the beginning by integrating SSbD principles into the product design process. ?? Looking Ahead: This partnership is a significant step towards a future where safety and sustainability are intrinsic to product design. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on industries and consumers alike. ?? Read more about this exciting collaboration and its potential benefits: https://lnkd.in/gJcy7N62 Let's continue to innovate for a safer, more sustainable world! ??? #Sustainability #Innovation #SSbD #Collaboration #BASF #TNO #SafeDesign #EcoFriendly #FutureOfDesign

?? good news from European Chemicals Agency! ??New cyclosiloxane restrictions are another step towards a safe and clean environment.? With this restriction proposal, ECHA aims to protect our environment by reducing emissions of these very persistent and very bioaccumulative chemicals by up to 90%. ?? ?? Read the conditions of the restrictions in the Official Journal of the European Union??https://lnkd.in/dh7ym9Nc #environment #safety #restrictions #ECHA #SSbD #sustainability #pollution #SafeByDesign #dangerous #chemicals #regulations?

?? The fight against microplastic pollution is taking a green turn! Researchers from the Hubei University Key Laboratory of Wetland Evolution & Ecological Restoration have unveiled a novel approach to addressing microplastic pollution—phytoremediation. ?? This innovative approach uses plants to absorb, trap, and even degrade microplastics from our environment, providing a natural and sustainable method to tackle a growing crisis. As microplastics infiltrate our soils and waterways, the potential of phytoremediation to restore ecological balance is becoming increasingly evident. Integrating these plant-based solutions into our environmental strategies can pave the way for a cleaner, healthier planet. ?? To dive deeper into this promising solution, check out the full article: https://lnkd.in/dX2HGbUy #microplastic #solution #novelty #SSbD #environment #sustainability #safety #research?#development

?? Exciting News for Safety and Sustainability in Pharmaceuticals! ??The European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) has officially bid adieu to the Rabbit Pyrogen Test (RPT) in its monographs, marking a major step forward in both animal welfare and scientific progress. ?? ?? ?? ?? This decision, highlighted in a recent press release from the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM), Council of Europe, reflects industry's commitment to replace animal testing with more humane and advanced methods. The RPT, which has been used for decades to ensure the safety of injectable drugs, will now be replaced by in vitro methods. Key highlights of this transition: ? Enhanced Safety: In vitro methods provide more reliable and reproducible results, ensuring higher safety standards for pharmaceutical products. ? Animal Welfare: Eliminating the RPT eliminates the suffering of countless rabbits, upholding the principles of humane treatment. ? Sustainability: Reducing reliance on animal testing contributes to more sustainable and eco-friendly scientific practices. ?? Kudos to the Ph. Eur. for leading the way and setting a powerful example for the global pharmaceutical community! ?? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eUe3acms #safety #sustainability #pharmaceuticals #AnimalTesting #health #progress #EDQM #invitro

?? Plastic Free July ???? It's Plastic Free July—a month dedicated to raising awareness about plastic pollution and encouraging the avoidance of single-use plastics. Beyond the environmental impact, the chemicals in plastics pose significant health risks, especially to women's health. ?? Did you know that over 13,000 chemicals are associated with plastics like polyethylene, polycarbonates, polystyrene, and PVC? Shockingly, only 7,000 have sufficient data to assess their health or environmental impacts. Of these, nearly half have at least one hazardous property of concern. Particularly troubling are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) used in plastics. EDCs interfere with our hormone systems, leading to reproductive issues, obesity, and hormone-related cancers such as breast, prostate, and testicular cancer. Examples include certain phthalates and bisphenols. ??Adopting the SSbD approach is crucial. By designing products with safety and sustainability in mind from the outset, we can mitigate these risks and protect our health and the planet. Let's use this month to rethink our plastic use and advocate for safer alternatives. ?? Go visit https://lnkd.in/f6rJSUr and make a change. #plastic #sustainability #health #endocrine #Disruptors #SafeByDesign #environment #pollution #SSbD #hazard #safety?

?? New Eurobarometer survey reveals 78% of Europeans feel directly impacted by environmental issues and policies! ?? ?? Key insights: - 84% believe EU environmental legislation is crucial. - 92% insist companies should pay for pollution cleanup. - 88% prioritize protecting biodiversity. - Strong support for water conservation, with 96% recognizing it as an urgent issue. - 89% back initiatives for a circular economy. - 84% are concerned about harmful chemicals in everyday products. ?? This overwhelming consensus underscores the urgency of continuing and enhancing environmental policies across the EU. The Green Deal and other initiatives must address these concerns to ensure a sustainable future for all Europeans. The demand for corporate accountability and sustainable practices clearly highlights the need for robust legislation and public awareness. ?? Want to know more? https://lnkd.in/dxwzKRSd #Sustainability #EU #Environment #GreenDeal #CircularEconomy #WaterConservation #Biodiversity #CorporateResponsibility #Eurobarometer #SSbD?

?? Red light for mercury, green light for SSbD! ???We're back to the topic from January's post on mercury! https://lnkd.in/dBjT7YjB The EU Council has given the revised text of the mercury regulation the final green light, setting an example in the fight against mercury pollution in the EU. ?? Starting from January 1, 2025, the export and use of dental amalgam will be banned, and from July 1, 2026, its production and import to the EU will also be prohibited, giving us a clear timeline to transition to mercury-free alternatives. Additionally, toxic lamps containing mercury from the EU will no longer reach developing countries. Such measures will end unfair exports to low- and middle-income countries and deliver greater climate change mitigation benefits through mercury-free and energy-efficient alternatives, demonstrating the EU’s holistic approach to environmental protection. ?? Another step towards SSbD! ?? ?? Want to know more? Read the European Environmental Bureau article! https://lnkd.in/dni_7b3e

?? Join ECHA in bridging the gap between science and regulation! ?? In its Strategy 2024-2028, the European Chemicals Agency has set a vision for the next five years, prioritizing protecting the health and the environment. The strategy emphasizes chemical safety through science, collaboration, and knowledge. One key goal is to lead on chemical knowledge and expertise, with a strong focus on building partnerships and stimulating innovation in chemical safety. As part of this initiative, ECHA has identified key regulatory challenges and outlined its research needs under the European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC). These needs, updated for 2024, include: ?? developing new approach methods,? ??identifying and regulating bioaccumulative substances, and? ??shifting away from animal testing. Researchers and experts are encouraged to align their work with ECHA’s outlined needs, contributing to a safer and more competitive EU chemical market. ECHA’s map of key regulatory challenges, first published in 2023, serves as a guide for researchers to develop relevant and impactful research. ?? If you have ongoing research that aligns with these needs or if you’re interested in collaborating, contact ECHA at ?? [email protected]. Together, we can advance chemical safety and innovation! #ECHA #Chemical #Innovation #Regulatory #Science #PARC #Sustainability #Environmental #Protection #health #Safety #research #Collaboration

?? INDTech 2024 - Science and innovation to empower EU industrial resilience and economic security ?? One of the European Union’s flagship events, INDTech2024, ended on May 5. It brought together stakeholders from research organizations, industry, SMEs, and policymakers to discuss cutting-edge technology challenges and future trends in industrial technologies. ??Over the course of three days, the event witnessed the active engagement of hundreds of participants and the insights of numerous invited speakers, all striving to address the most pressing questions for the EU’s industrial development. ? How can research be better valorized to have a greater impact on Europe industry competitiveness? ? How could the R&D dimension be better integrated into ambitious European industrial initiatives to ensure our industry’s future is made in Europe? The event was not just a platform for creative ideas, but also a catalyst for practical solutions, promoting safe and sustainable development in the industry. ?? https://indtech2024.eu/ #event #industry #indtech2024 #safe #sustainable #SSbD #idea #EU #european #conference #innovation #sustainability #safety?

?? Eco dream - effective methods of recycling PET plastics! ?? The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that over 82 million tons of PET plastic are manufactured worldwide yearly.? The environmental impact of PET plastic is severe. If not disposed of properly, it can persist in the environment for centuries, causing widespread pollution of ecosystems, endangering wildlife, and contaminating waterways. This grim reality underscores the importance of effective recycling. Additionally, the production of PET plastic may involve using fossil fuels and energy-intensive processes, leading to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. ?? To address this problem, researchers identified an innovative, breakthrough approach to recycling PET plastics through a dual strategy combining microbial and chemical catalysis and PET upcycling. Innovative catalytic techniques include enzymatic decomposition using genetically modified microorganisms and advanced photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. ?? These methods not only increase recycling efficiency but also enable PET to be converted into economically valuable products. The review highlights significant reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, representing significant progress in sustainable industrial practices. ?? Read the study: https://lnkd.in/ganR8rp8 #safety #sustainability #SSbD #environment #health #problem #solution #PET #plastic #innovation #recycling?#upcycling