ISBN: 3790816426
TITLE: Hazardous Chemicals in Products and Processes
AUTHOR: Ahrens et al.
TOC:

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 concem 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
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 chemicals related 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 bacganisation 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
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 an 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
END
