Why chemical assessment is harder than it should be — the universal struggle
Chemical assessment is a critical but chronically inefficient process. This first post in our three-part series explores the shared challenges teams face — from fragmented data to shifting regulations — and why smarter approaches are urgently needed.
Chemical complexity, amplified
Chemical assessment is at the heart of safer, more sustainable business decisions. But ask any R&D scientist, compliance manager, or sustainability lead, and they’ll tell you the same thing: it’s harder than it should be.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Chemical choices directly affect compliance, safety, innovation, and brand reputation. And yet, assessment processes are still slow, fragmented, and resource-intensive.
The challenges everyone faces
Recent survey data confirms what teams already know: chemical assessment is universally difficult.
- Inconsistent formats and standards — hazard and regulatory data look different everywhere you find it.
- Constant regulatory change — rules shift across jurisdictions, with updates often buried in scattered lists.
- Fragmented information — chemical transparency is hard to get from suppliers, safety data sheets, toxicology reports, and regulatory notices live in silos, and chemical research is spread across hundreds of various sources.
- Resource-heavy processes — on average, teams spend 24.7 hours per chemical just on CHAs and not every company has the expertise and resources needed to complete or review CHAs.
- Reactive approaches — many organizations are focused on compliance risks first and discover risks only when it’s too late.
The risks of inefficiency
Slow, inconsistent assessments don’t just waste time — they create real-world consequences:
- Delayed innovation as R&D struggles to identify safer alternatives quickly.
- Compliance gaps when a regulatory update slips through the cracks.
- Regrettable substitutions where one problematic chemical is replaced with another.
- Eroded credibility when sustainability promises outpace reliable data.
Why change is urgent
With pressure mounting from regulators, customers, and investors, inefficient chemical assessment is no longer just an internal headache. It’s a strategic risk.
The good news? Smarter, more efficient approaches are emerging. But before we explore solutions, it’s important to understand the different challenges faced by every team. In our next post, we’ll dive into the unique struggles of R&D, compliance, sustainability, and risk management — and why alignment is the key to progress.
Want to learn more?
Catch up on the full, on-demand webinar now. Get your time back: Strategies for efficient chemical assessment shares how leading teams are tackling these challenges.