PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
According to the UN, chemical pollution is one of the three global crises putting the earth at risk, along with the loss of biodiversity and climate change. Once emitted to the environment, it is rarely possible to remove chemicals again. In addition, persistent substances may be transported in the environment and accumulate in environmental media, biota and food chains. Therefore, the prevention of chemical emissions is the ultimate approach to reducing chemical pollution. However, low awareness about chemical risks and related deficits can be a barrier for preventing chemical emissions.
Structured and strategic approaches to chemicals risk management systems (CRMS) are crucial for companies to be able to identify action needs to maintain or achieve compliance and to incentivise and facilitate substitution of (the most) hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives. CRMS should guide companies on how to develop concrete corporate chemicals-related goals and explain how to implement these in terms of action areas, responsibilities, decision criteria and (technical) implementation and are compatible with existing management system standards. This also contributes to the circular economy as hazardous substances should not be (re-)introduced into (secondary) material cycles.
OBJECTIVES
The project aims to contribute to the non-toxic environment by focusing on the top priority of the zero-pollution hierarchy: prevention. It focuses on avoiding the use - and therefore emissions from - hazardous substances from production processes and products.
The main objective of the project is to initiate or improve the implementation of structured chemicals risk management systems (CRMS) in small- and medium-sized companies. The CRMS will provide proper information management, assigned responsibilities and the skills of company staff, which are the basis for both the implementation of risk reduction (substitution or other chemical risk reduction), as well as the basis of sustainable results through continuous improvements without external support.
In addition, the project aims to reduce the use of hazardous substances, and the related exposure to hazardous substances by humans and the environment, by initiating and accompanying the replacement of these substances with safer and more sustainable alternatives.
The specific objectives include:
- To phase-out the use of the most hazardous substances in seven partner companies.
- To support the implementation of elements of chemicals risk management (CRM) in 70 companies.
- To provide capacity building in the waste treatment companies regarding their role in managing chemicals in the waste chain.
- To carry-out awareness raising among different stakeholders on how to implement chemicals risk management elements.
The project also continues to lobby for the inclusion of chemicals management principles into the existing environmental management standards (EMAS, ISO).
RESULTS
The direct impact of the activities in seven partner companies: the use of carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) substances will be reduced by 192 tonnes/year (t/year) during the project; the use of other hazardous substances will be reduced by 20.91 t/year during the project, and by another 0.05 t/year 3 to 5 years after its end.
The support in implementing elements of chemicals risk management (CRM): 70 companies have implemented newly or improved an existing CRM; around 30 companies have reduced emissions to the environment or exposure of workers to hazardous substances by implementing technical or organisational risk reduction measures.
The expected results from the awareness raising activities: 3,800 companies involved in training, seminars and/or info days will increase their knowledge and awareness, and receive guidance and tools from the project; 50 institutions (associations, consultancy, education) will be involved in capacity building events and enabled for further knowledge transfer.
