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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Substances of Concern in Ecodesign and Other EU Law
ClearStrategies for Dealing with Substances of Concern in Product Design – a Review of Five Cases
This review examined design strategies for dealing with substances of concern in products, covering approaches to substitute, minimize, or eliminate hazardous chemicals throughout the product lifecycle. The authors identified regulatory frameworks and practical design tools to guide manufacturers toward safer material choices.
Data Requirements for Implementing the “Essential-Use” Concept in Chemical Legislation
Researchers analyzed how the essential-use concept could be implemented in chemical legislation by examining existing cases under the Stockholm Convention and the EU REACH Regulation, including the restriction on intentionally added microplastics. The study suggests that current regulatory frameworks already consider elements of essential-use decision-making and that no drastic changes to data requirements would be necessary to apply this concept.
DataRequirements for Implementing the “Essential-Use”Concept in Chemical Legislation
Researchers examined the data requirements needed to implement the 'essential-use' concept within the Stockholm Convention and EU REACH Regulation chemical legislation frameworks. The study analyzed what types of substance-specific data would be necessary to determine whether a chemical's uses qualify as essential, informing proposed revisions to global and European chemical governance.
DataRequirements for Implementing the “Essential-Use”Concept in Chemical Legislation
Researchers examined the data requirements needed to implement the 'essential-use' concept within the Stockholm Convention and EU REACH Regulation chemical legislation frameworks. The study analyzed what types of substance-specific data would be necessary to determine whether a chemical's uses qualify as essential, informing proposed revisions to global and European chemical governance.
The upcoming European Soil Monitoring Law: An effective instrument for the protection of terrestrial ecosystems?
This analysis examines whether the upcoming European Soil Monitoring Law will effectively protect terrestrial ecosystems. The study suggests that while the regulation represents important progress, it needs to close gaps between existing chemical regulations and fully align with current European strategies for environmental protection and sustainability.
Implementing the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability: The case of food contact chemicals of concern
Researchers analyzed food contact chemicals that would be classified as chemicals of concern under the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, identifying over 300 substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, endocrine-disrupting, or persistent and bioaccumulative. Many of these chemicals are currently authorized for use in food packaging despite their hazardous properties. The study suggests that full implementation of the EU strategy could significantly reduce human exposure to harmful chemicals migrating from food contact materials.
Release Assessment Methodology for Safe Sustainable and Recyclable by-Design Practices for Plastics: The Epoxy-Resin Composite Case Study
Researchers developed a release assessment methodology for epoxy resin composites to evaluate whether they meet safe and sustainable by-design criteria across their lifecycle. The framework tested for chemical release during manufacturing, use, and end-of-life, providing a standardized approach to green plastic design.
La Révision de REACH : Quels Impacts sur la Santé Humaine, l'Environnement et l'Industrie Attendus?
This study examines the anticipated impacts of the revision of the European REACH regulation on human health, environmental protection, and industrial practices. The analysis addresses how updated chemical regulations are expected to affect the management of hazardous substances including plastic additives and pollutants across the value chain.
The Ephemeral Term “Sustainable Development” in Current EU Policies
Not relevant to microplastics — this policy analysis paper examines how the term 'sustainable development' is used inconsistently and with contradictory meanings across current European Union policies, using textual and conceptual review methods.
Restricting microplastics in the European Union: Process and criteria under REACH
Researchers analyzed the European Union's regulatory process for restricting intentionally added microplastics under the REACH chemical regulation, finding that the procedure requires extensive socio-economic justification alongside environmental and health risk assessments. The study notes that the precautionary principle plays a limited role, meaning that the less data available on a microplastic's harm, the harder it is to restrict it.
Legal and Safety Issues of ECs
This chapter reviews the legal and safety frameworks surrounding emerging contaminants such as microplastics, pesticides, and flame retardants, noting significant regulatory gaps and the risks posed by their increasing environmental prevalence.
New Aspects of EPR: Extending producer responsibility to additional product groups and challenges throughout the product lifecycle
This paper examines the expansion of Extended Producer Responsibility policies beyond traditional product categories like electronics and packaging to include textiles, construction materials, and plastic products. Researchers evaluate early adopter case studies and assess successes and challenges in applying these policies to new environmental impacts throughout product lifecycles. The study suggests that while EPR shows promise for reducing plastic waste and pollution, careful design is needed when extending it to additional product groups.
Concretising the role of extended producer responsibility in European Union waste law and policy through the lens of the circular economy
This review examines the evolution of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) within European Union waste law and policy, analyzing how EPR instruments can be strengthened to drive more effective plastic waste prevention and recycling across the product lifecycle. The authors argue for more ambitious, harmonized EPR frameworks to reduce plastic pollution at its source.
Method to incorporate green chemistry principles in early-stage product design for sustainability: case studies with personal care products
Researchers developed a method integrating green chemistry principles with ecological risk assessment and life cycle assessment to guide sustainable early-stage product design for down-the-drain consumer products such as personal care items, demonstrating the approach through case studies.
OSPAR request on information for use in selecting and deselecting hazardous substances of concern
This ICES advisory document provides a list of projects and information sources on substances of emerging concern in the OSPAR maritime area. The document serves as a reference for regulatory bodies tracking new pollutants including microplastics and associated chemicals in European seas.
Recent legislation and emerging trends in Cosmetology
This review examines recent legislative changes and emerging trends in EU cosmetics regulation, including restrictions on microplastic-containing formulations and requirements for new safety and environmental assessments.
Exploring the Essential Use Concept for Primary Microplastics Regulation in the EU
Researchers explored how the "essential use" concept could be applied to regulate primary microplastics intentionally added to products in the EU. They analyzed different product categories to determine where microplastic use might be considered essential versus where viable alternatives already exist. The study provides a framework for policymakers to systematically phase out unnecessary microplastic uses while allowing them only in applications where no adequate substitutes are available.
Sustainability
This design chapter examines sustainability as a goal for product and system design, connecting everyday products like shampoo bottles and their microplastic-shedding contents to broader environmental challenges. Design choices from product conception through end-of-life determine whether a product contributes to microplastic pollution.
Are all chemicals endocrine disruptors?
This commentary discusses the regulatory challenges of identifying and controlling endocrine-disrupting chemicals under European and US chemical safety regulations, noting that criteria for defining endocrine disruption are still being developed. Many plastic additives are suspected endocrine disruptors, making this regulatory debate directly relevant to assessing the health risks associated with microplastics exposure.
Chemicals management approach to sustainable development of materials
This review examines how chemicals management approaches must evolve for sustainable materials development, arguing that planetary boundaries and path-dependent industrial trajectories require rethinking how chemicals including plastics are produced and regulated.
Developing a groundwater watch list for substances of emerging concern: a European perspective
A European groundwater watch list framework was proposed for substances of emerging concern—including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and microplastics—to guide prioritized monitoring before these contaminants reach regulatory thresholds. The paper reviews the state of knowledge on occurrence and risk for candidate substances and outlines a tiered approach to watch list development across EU member states.
Experiences and consequences of phasing out substances of concern in a multinational healthcare company
A multinational healthcare company reported on its decade-long program to phase out substances of very high concern from all products globally, as committed in 2015 following European REACH regulations. The authors shared practical challenges including supply chain complexity and lack of safe alternatives, and provided a framework for how other large companies could approach similar programs.
Characterisation and analysis of key studies used to restrict substances under REACH
Researchers analyzed key studies cited in REACH (European chemicals regulation) substance restriction dossiers, evaluating how well the selected studies reflect the full evidence base for regulated contaminants. The analysis found that dossiers sometimes relied on a narrow subset of available studies, with implications for the robustness of regulatory decisions.
Reforming EU Company Law to Secure the Future of European Business
This analysis examines proposed reforms to EU company law aimed at requiring corporations to address social and ecological responsibilities, arguing that integrating sustainability obligations into corporate governance structures is essential for meeting EU climate and biodiversity goals.