Practical Aspects of Chemical Substitution

One of the controversial issues in the debate on the proposed EU Chemicals Policy, known as REACH, is the degree to which industry should be encouraged or required to adopt the 'Substitution Principle'. The substitution principle has wide application, both within and outside REACH. 

In the current proposal, applicants must consider substitution as part of a request for certain 'authorisations' to continue the use of a hazardous substance. However, substitution may also be necessary when manufacturers cease to produce a chemical or to support its use in a particular type of preparation or when downstream users or the public seek the elimination of a particular substance from certain types of preparation and/or article. The buying power of informed users/consumers and suppliers is an effective mechanism for driving substitution.