Digital tools and resources for chemical substitution

Screening tools

A simple way to identify substances that should be phased out, or to screen out clearly unsuitable alternatives, is to check whether they are listed in the tools below:

• Prio - a tool for substitution 
  The Swedish Chemicals Agency’s tool prioritizes substances for substitution using a two-level approach. It includes substances that are currently subject to information, restriction, or authorization requirements, as well as substances that may become subject to such requirements in the future.
• Chemsecs SIN-list 
  A tool that lists substances considered to meet the REACH criteria for substances of very high concern (SVHCs) but that have not yet been included on the Candidate List. It also includes substances that are already subject to regulatory requirements.

To gather more information about a substance, additional screening tools are available (see below). These tools provide more comprehensive information, including data from regulatory authorities worldwide and voluntary restricted substances lists. Using these tools and interpreting the results correctly requires a greater level of chemical knowledge than the tools mentioned above.

• SUBSPORTplus database of restricted and priority substances (List of List)
  A screening tool developed by the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) that incorporates 38 lists of legally or voluntarily restricted hazardous chemicals.
• Chemhat 
  A database covering 22 000 substances that compiles information from 30 regulatory sources and 9 restricted substances lists.

More about chemicals to be phased out 

Comparison models

To evaluate alternatives in a more systematic way, a range of comparative assessment methods are available. A common feature of these methods is the use of clearly defined criteria for scoring alternatives based on the intrinsic hazards of the substances involved. Several methods also address data gaps—that is, situations where a specific hazard endpoint has not been evaluated—which is generally not covered by the screening tools described above.

Using these tools requires more time and expertise, but the outcome is a more robust and scientifically sound assessment of your alternatives. This helps reduce the risk of regrettable substitution and supports more informed decision-making.

• OECD Substitution and Alternatives Assessment toolbox
  A compilation of guidance documents and resources for comparing alternatives from different perspectives.
• Safe and sustainable by design 
  Guidance currently being developed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), in which Step 1 proposes a comparative assessment approach for evaluating the hazardous and particularly hazardous properties of chemicals.
• GHS Column model - an aid to substitute
  A practical and easy-to-use guidance document developed by the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), with a focus on chemicals used in industrial processes and workplace environments.
• GreenScreen® for safer chemicals
  A well-established framework for comparing chemicals, materials, polymers, and products based on their intrinsic hazards.
• P20Asys
  A tool developed by the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) to compare the environmental impacts, chemical hazards, and process changes associated with chemical substitution. 
• Cradle to Cradle – Material Health Assessment Methodology 
  A comparison framework for materials aligned with the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Products Program, enabling the assessment and selection of materials based on health, safety, and sustainability criteria.