Overcoming barriers to sustainable chemistry adoption

Sustainable chemistry is a key practice for businesses striving to meet sustainability and compliance goals, and create safer products and processes. Despite recognizing these benefits, many companies still struggle to implement sustainable chemistry initiatives. 

In our survey of over 300 chemicals management professionals, respondents cited resource, time, and tool limitations as major blockers. These challenges create a technology and resource gap, hindering progress in green chemistry.  

This article explores the gap and provides four tips from Enhesa Sustainable Chemistry experts on how to address it. 

Understanding the technology and resources gap

The gap in technology and resources stems primarily from two key challenges — resource constraints and time constraints. 
 

Resource constraints 

Half of the chemicals management professionals surveyed (50%) identified resource constraints as a significant pain point in implementing sustainable chemistry practices.  

Without adequate resources, including staff and tools, businesses struggle to integrate safer chemicals practices into their chemicals management processes. A lack of resources also hinders their ability to engage with suppliers (23%), which is a critical factor in achieving sustainable chemicals management.  

Time restraints  

Two-thirds (66%) of companies conduct chemical assessments in-house. However, conducting chemical research is a time-intensive process, including obtaining full chemical data from suppliers, and performing Chemical Hazard Assessments (CHAs) to identify problematic substances and safer alternatives.  

Our survey found that one third of respondents spend days or more to screen each chemical.  

Why it matters: The impact of these challenges 

With 44% of companies conducting between 10 and 100 CHAs annually, the time and effort required for assessments is substantial. Additional pressure comes from the need to consult multiple sources:  

• 1 in 3 respondents look in more than three places per assessments 

• 1 in 6 use more than sources 

• 1 in 4 search in more than 10 places 

These challenges prevent companies from advancing their green chemistry programs and meeting critical business objectives, including: regulatory compliance; environmental, brand and consumer protection; and avoiding penalties and reputational damage.  

How to bridge the technology and resources gap

Companies recognize that overcoming these challenges requires investment across the multiple areas of people, processes, and technology:   

• 53% say they need dedicated teams 

• 53% say they need better staff training and professional development  

• 49% say they need improved data-gathering tools and software

Here are four top tips from Enhesa Sustainable Chemistry on how to bridge the technology and resources gaps — as highlighted in our report, The risk-opportunity divide: Closing the chemicals management gap with sustainable chemistry.
 

Tip #1 — Implement more effective list screening solutions 

Advanced tools can significantly reduce the time and effort needed for screening by helping companies quickly identify chemicals on regulatory or priority lists. Automation streamlines the process, minimizes manual checks across multiple databases and sources, and boosts efficiency. 

Tip #2 — Conduct proactive hazard assessments instead of list screening only 

List screening can only provide information on what is already known. Going beyond compliance means evaluating the full hazard profile of chemicals, not just checking restricted lists. Proactive hazard assessments allow businesses to anticipate regulatory changes and avoid risks before they become problematic. 

By evaluating multiple endpoints (e.g. carcinogenicity, toxicity, environmental impact), companies gain a clearer understanding of their chemicals, and make more informed and sustainable decisions. 

Tip #3 — Establish a prioritization framework for phasing out problematic chemicals 

A prioritization framework helps companies focus on the most hazardous (or potentially problematic) chemicals and plan phase-outs. This targeted approach aligns with broader sustainability goals while ensuring smooth transitions to safer alternatives without disrupting production processes. 

Tip #4 — Streamline chemical research with centralized and efficient tools 

A centralized database, such as Chemical Research with ToxPlanet consolidates information from multiple sources to simplify chemical research and improve efficiency. By leveraging advanced tools that aggregate regulatory and scientific data, business can access comprehensive and up-to-date insights.  

The challenges in sustainable chemistry implementation — resource limitations, time constraints, and inconsistent and fragmented information — are substantial. However, companies recognize sustainable chemistry opportunities and can bridge the technology and resources gap by adopting:  

• Automated screening solutions to improve efficiency 

• Proactive hazard assessments to anticipate regulatory changes 

• Strategic prioritization frameworks for phasing out chemicals of concern 

• Centralized research tools to streamline chemical research 

By investing in people, processes, and technology, businesses can overcome current obstacles and drive advancements in their sustainable chemistry initiatives.