New expertise centre to help companies innovate more safely and sustainably

Innovation in the chemical sector is an important driver of the Dutch economy. But innovation must not come at the expense of health and the environment. With this expertise centre, the Netherlands aims to take a leading role in safe and sustainable chemistry. The centre is expected to become operational later this year and will in time be connected to a European network.

Every day we come into contact with chemical substances - in our clothing, electronics and food. Many of these substances are indispensable, for example for the energy transition. But chemicals and materials also carry risks. And those risks are often discovered too late - sometimes years after a product has already entered the market, by which point replacing those harmful substances and materials with better alternatives is a major challenge. The consequences can be significant, for people and for the environment alike. Companies themselves also face costly risks as a result. A well-known example is PFAS: a group of chemical substances whose societal consequences only became clear after years of use.

Safety and sustainability from the start

The new expertise centre operates according to the principle of Safe and Sustainable by Design, or SSbD for short. This is a design principle whereby safety and sustainability are built into a system or product from the very beginning, rather than being addressed after the fact. By taking into account the potential risks of substances from the design phase onwards, environmental and health problems can be prevented in the future. Companies are also better prepared for future legislation.

Expertise centre as a bridge between policy and practice

The centre is intended to guide companies step by step in replacing harmful substances and materials and applying SSbD within their own processes. Concretely, the centre does three things: it raises awareness of the risks of chemical substances and materials, it helps companies replace harmful substances, and it provides a platform for sharing knowledge and experience. The centre offers practical support in the form of training sessions, workshops and access to useful tools and data, giving companies concrete guidance to get started step by step. This creates a standardised approach that can be applied broadly - across different substances, sectors and collaborative partnerships. TNO focuses primarily on collaboration with industry and the practical application of SSbD methods. RIVM contributes policy expertise. Industry association VNCI provides connections to its members. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is funding the initiative.