The Swedish Centre for Chemical Substitution

RISE was commissioned by the Swedish government to establish and maintain a centre for chemical substitution. The centre shall support companies and the public sector with knowledge of hazardous chemical substances and better alternatives and push for substitution. By increasing the knowledge, the Swedish Centre for Chemical Substitution will stimulate the development of sustainable chemical products and production processes, goods and non-chemical methods as well as contribute to a circular economy.

Substitution is a process

The global production and use of chemicals increase. Unsafe handling and emissions of hazardous chemicals pose a risk for human health and the environment, leads to pollution and large costs for both companies and the society. Substitution is a process of identifying target chemicals, finding alternative solutions, evaluating what is the best replacement and implementing it. The evaluation of alternatives includes the perspective of quality and economy. Substitution requires motivation, competence, funding and a certain courage to go ahead. Drivers for substitution can be existing and future legislation, customer demands from companies and consumers as well as the company’s will for sustainability performance and for being at the forefront.

A node for the work

Core activities for the Swedish Centre for Chemical Substitution consist of communication, education and counselling. The Swedish Centre for Chemical Substitution should be a node for the work in Sweden by building and gathering expertise on substitution. By sharing knowledge and giving guidance and demonstrating tools and examples, the Swedish Centre for Chemical Substitution will increase the pace in phasing out of hazardous substances.

By increasing the pace of substitution of hazardous substances, the Swedish Centre for Chemical Substitution contributes to the fulfilment of the national environmental quality goal for a non-toxic environment, set by the Swedish Government, and that connects to at least eight of the UN Global Objectives

Visit Swedish Centre for Chemical Substitutions web (Swedish).