Hazardous chemicals in products and processes : substitution as an innovative process

Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 1 Summary of most important results .............................................................. 5 1.1 Aspects of the ability to be innovative .................................................... 5 1.2 Aspects of direction of innovation........................................................... 6 1.3 Model of “innovation systems at supply chain level” ............................. 8 1.4 Current developments in chemicals regulation........................................ 9 1.5 Prerequisites for success in hazardous substance substitution ............. 10 1.5.1 Substitution of hazardous substances is an innovation process like many others................................................................ 10 1.5.2 Chemicals innovations concern not only new substances, but also new preparations and applications.......................................... 10 1.5.3 Public and civilian society – combined with intensive competition – are powerful driving forces in the innovation system................ 11 1.5.4 Competition is the most important driving force for innovation – the demand for quality may create a direction for it .................. 12 1.5.5 Harmonised rules are needed for risk communication in the market .................................................................................. 13 1.5.6 Understanding complex innovation systems improves the ability to be innovative .................................................................. 14 1.5.7 Risk reduction too has to contend with conflicts of objectives...... 15 1.5.8 Dealing with the “lack of knowledge” is a key to innovation – extended risk management is required........................................... 15 1.5.9 Guiding principles may provide orientation but may also be misleading...................................................................................... 16 1.5.10 Simple rules for risk management are needed ............................... 17 1.5.11 The entire range of opportunities to exert influence by the state has to be exploited ...................................................... 18 2 Initial situation and analysis of deficits........................................................ 21 2.1 Substitution of hazardous substances – introduction and definitions .... 21 2.2 The case of asbestos – introduction to the subject................................. 23 2.3 New general framework conditions....................................................... 28 2.3.1 Perception of environmental and health issues.............................. 28 2.3.2 Scientific range of instruments ...................................................... 30 2.3.3 From banning to range of control instruments............................... 30 VI Contents 2.3.4 International integration.................................................................33 2.3.5 Substitution has priority – unfortunately not in practice................33 2.3.6 Enforcement deficits ......................................................................34 2.3.7 Many substitution incentives originate from waste and waste water legislation...................................................................35 2.3.8 Markets and brands........................................................................35 2.3.9 Innovation ......................................................................................36 2.3.10 Trade..............................................................................................38 2.4 Characterisation of the current EU regulatory system ...........................38 2.4.1 Instruments for substance evaluation and risk information ...........39 3 Approach to research and procedure...........................................................47 3.1 Starting point in innovation research (driven by occupational health and safety and environmental protection) ...................................47 3.2 Hazardous substance substitution as an innovation process ..................49 3.3 Procedure used by SubChem.................................................................51 3.3.1 Research questions.........................................................................51 3.3.2 Case studies, hypotheses, model: understanding of chemicalsrelated innovation systems.............................................................52 3.3.3 Guiding principles and management solutions: orientation for actors in the innovation system......................................................57 3.3.4 Elements of intervening research? – Realisations and influencing against the background of reorganisation of European chemicals policy .............................................................................................58 4 Case study analysis and development of hypotheses ..................................61 4.1 Evaluation and documentation of case studies ......................................61 4.2 Summary of thirteen case studies ..........................................................65 4.2.1 Case study “Water-based cleaning of metal surfaces”...................66 4.2.2 Case study “Alternatives to reproduction-toxic plasticisers in plastics” .........................................................................................69 4.2.3 Case study “Biosoluble, man-made mineral fibres for insulation in structures” .................................................................75 4.2.4 Brief presentation of other case studies .........................................81 4.3 Hypotheses as a means of detection and a form of result ......................96 4.3.1 Hypotheses – factors promoting and restricting substitution .........98 5 Developing the model – being innovative in an innovation system........109 5.1 The framework for an innovation system ............................................110 5.1.1 System inertia as the main barrier................................................111 5.1.2 Competition as the main driving force.........................................113 5.1.3 The power of scandal...................................................................115 Contents VII 6 Dealing with lack of knowledge and uncertainties – a task for risk management ................................................................................................. 119 6.1 Direction of innovation – dealing with uncertainties and lack of knowledge ........................................................................................... 119 6.2 Putting the precautionary principle into practice................................. 120 6.3 Substance development and technology design directed by guiding principles ............................................................................................. 122 6.4 Managing quality at the level of the supply chain ............................... 124 6.5 Evaluation of the workshops on extended risk management............... 125 6.5.1 Workshop “From recycling management systems to sustainable chemicals – models in chemicals development and substance policy” ......................................................................................... 126 6.5.2 Workshop “Quality and risk management – approaches for the integration of environmental and health aspects in corporate management” ............................................................................... 131 7 Recommendations for action ...................................................................... 137 7.1 Commercial institutions....................................................................... 137 7.2 State institutions .................................................................................. 138 7.3 Consumers and society ........................................................................ 141 8 Prospects and prospective questions .......................................................... 143 Bibliography ...................................................................................................... 145 Table of figures and tables................................................................................ 149 Glossary.............................................................................................................. 151