Survey opens on a revised Framework for safe and sustainable by design chemicals and materials

The European Commission is collecting feedback on the revision of the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) Framework. The aim of the Framework is to provide a decision support tool to steer innovation towards safer and more sustainable chemicals and materials, benefiting users and consumers alike and contributing to industrial competitiveness. This will be the foundation for preparing the Commission Recommendation revising the European assessment framework for 'safe and sustainable by design' chemicals and materials, expected later this year.

The survey is open until 15 September 2025. Respondents from different sectors, including academia, industry, non-governmental organisations, individual experts and others are welcome to submit their input.

Respondents are encouraged to provide detailed insights on various aspects, including the practicality of socio-economic sustainability assessments and the applicability of assessments to innovations at low Technology Readiness Levels - meaning innovations at the early stages of development.

This feedback will inform the ongoing refinement of the SSbD Framework, which protects human health and the environment throughout a product's lifecycle. It also strengthens industrial competitiveness and supports the development of safer and more sustainable products for consumers and downstream users.

Background

This survey is part of a comprehensive process shaping the revision of the SSbD Framework. During a two-year testing period, the framework was subjected to over 80 case studies, two stakeholder workshops, and additional feedback rounds. As a result, the revised framework introduces several new elements, such as a 'Scoping Analysis' to guide innovators, a unified safety assessment approach, and an Environmental Sustainability Assessment benchmark.

The revised Framework serves as a crucial voluntary tool, accommodating different stages of innovation maturity. It will be the foundation for preparing the Commission Recommendation revising the European assessment framework for 'safe and sustainable by design' chemicals and materials, expected in 2025, to bolster the EU's leadership in safe, sustainable and competitive innovation.

More information

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Revised EU SSbD Framework

Safe and sustainable by design