OECD Publishes Workshop Report on Selection of Safe and Sustainable Chemicals 
On May 20, 2026, the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD) Environment Directorate’s Chemicals and Biotechnology Committee released “Risk Management Series No. 85,” a report summarizing the OECD workshop on transitioning to the selection of safe and sustainable chemicals. As the shift toward safer chemical alternatives accelerates, interest is growing in incorporating sustainability—alongside safety—into chemical selection.
The workshop, held in September 2024 with participation from companies, industry associations, and regulatory authorities, highlighted a shared recognition that chemical substitution and new material development require more than reducing hazardous properties. Participants emphasized the need to consider a broad set of sustainability attributes across the full life cycle, including climate change, biodiversity, resource consumption, circularity, and social impacts.
At the same time, the workshop identified numerous practical challenges, such as standardizing assessment methods, improving data availability, supporting small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs), and advancing international harmonization. Participants also noted several roles the OECD could play going forward:
- Institutionalizing ongoing dialogue and knowledge‑sharing platforms to exchange practical insights.
- Promoting international alignment of sustainability indicators and assessment criteria—particularly for life‑cycle assessment (LCA), biodegradability, recycled content, and carbon footprint.
- Supporting the development of simplified tools and guidelines for SMEs.
Additional needs raised included establishing data‑sharing systems that reflect full life‑cycle considerations and providing practical guidance on how to apply qualitative and quantitative assessments in a stepwise manner.
