Circular Economy
Substitution
Replacing hazardous substances and materials with safer alternatives — the driving logic of modern chemicals policy.
Definition
Substitution is the replacement of substances of concern with safer alternatives — chemical, technological or organisational. It is a duty embedded in EU chemicals law: REACH authorisation is granted only where no suitable safer alternative exists, and other regimes (pesticides, biocides, occupational safety directives) apply the same logic. Good practice is "informed substitution": assessing alternatives for their own hazards and lifecycle impacts to avoid regrettable substitution — replacing one harmful chemical with another.
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