Exploring the Practical Aspects of Chemical Substitution

Ideally society would like industry to develop chemical substances that can deliver a desired property or effect without negative side-effects e.g. flame retardant clothes are desirable but not flame retardant chemicals with bio-accumulative properties. In reality, risk has to be the main consideration as, to some extent, all process and chemicals are hazardous. The REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) Regulation requires that chemicals be 'Authorised' for specified uses in those cases where the perceived benefit (either as with human medicines, to the individual, or as with biocides, plant protection products, food additives, etc. to society as a whole) is disproportionate in comparison with the risk. The purpose of this paper is to consider the 'how' rather than the 'why' of substitution, and to propose some practical approaches that could lead to sustainable and improved human and environmental health.