Research report published on the substitution costs of hazardous chemicals

ECHA/NA/13/33

ECHA publishes a report on the results of research into the estimation of abatement costs for six substances of concern. The aim is to provide lessons to Member States and companies in support of their own work on assessing substitution costs.

Helsinki, 25 September 2013 - In 2011, ECHA commissioned six studies to estimate the costs of substituting a range of substances of concern. The objective of the work was to improve capability in the assessment of substitution costs, to develop some of the theoretical and methodological aspects specific to hazardous chemicals and to understand what barriers there might be to useful estimation.

ECHA's experience from processing restriction cases has demonstrated that robust substitution cost estimates have the potential to aid decision-making when regulating hazardous chemicals. The report provides a step forward in understanding the special characteristics of substitution cost assessment in the field of hazardous chemicals. The learning points will be useful for Member States and companies who work on restriction dossiers or authorisation applications.

ECHA's review of the research findings, along with the individual substance case study reports, is now available for download on the ECHA website.