In today's globalized production environment, avoiding harmful chemicals such as Chemicals of High Concern (CoHCs) is essential for protecting human health, preserving the environment, and maintaining business reputation. Regulatory frameworks like California Proposition 65, EU REACH Annex XVII, and US EPA - IRIS Carcinogens, as well as the UNEP Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, establish strict standards for reducing harmful chemical usage in products. Businesses, however, can go beyond compliance by adopting proactive and innovative practices that prioritize safer alternatives and sustainable production methods.

Understanding Chemicals of High Concern (CoHCs)

CoHCs are substances identified for their significant risks to health and the environment. These include:

• Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, and Toxic to Reproduction (CMRs): Chemicals that can cause cancer, genetic mutations, or harm reproductive health.

• Persistent, Bio accumulative, and Toxic (PBT): Substances that remain in the environment for extended periods, accumulate in living organisms, and pose long-term toxic risks.

• Endocrine Disruptors: Chemicals that interfere with hormonal systems, leading to developmental, reproductive, and other health issues.

• Substances Causing Serious Environmental Harm: These include chemicals that contribute to water, air, or soil pollution, threatening ecosystems and biodiversity.

Key Regulatory Drivers for harmful chemicals

• California Proposition 65: Requires businesses to label products containing chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.

• EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals): (Annex XVII) list covers substances that are limited or possibly banned from manufacture or placement on the EU market.

• US EPA TRI PBTs (Toxics Release Inventory - Persistent, Bio accumulative, and Toxic): Aims to minimize releases of PBT substances to protect public health and the environment.

• UNEP Stockholm Convention: Targets the elimination of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) globally.

Best Practices for Avoiding Harmful Chemical usage in Manufacturing

Develop a Comprehensive Chemicals Policy

Manufactures can establish policies that prioritize the reduction or elimination of CoHCs in products, its supply chains, and facilities.

Measure and Minimize Chemical Footprint

Quantifying the chemical footprint helps identify areas for improvement and track progress. Approaches include:

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Evaluate the environmental and health impacts of chemicals throughout a product’s lifecycle.

• Assess no of CoHCs utilized in the manufacturing process.

• Obtain independent validation for safe chemical use, for example Cradle to Cradle certification.

Integrate environmental considerations into product design

Developing products with biodegradable and non-toxic materials to reduce the release of toxins into the environment. Design products to reduce the release of dioxins and furans from nitrile combustion during the incineration process of waste gloves. Dioxins and Furans are persistent organic pollutants.