Project rationale: Sustainable chemistry has been broadly defined to date, including its connection to other fields, such as green chemistry. With its incorporation into the European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (the concept of Safe and Sustainable by Design) and the US Sustainable Chemistry R&D Act, as well as increasing demands for sustainable chemistry from investors and the marketplace, there is a pressing need to develop a clear and concise definition and actionable criteria.
Project progress to date: The 20-person Expert Committee on Sustainable Chemistry (ECOSChem) was formed in Spring 2022 and includes representatives from industry, academia, governmental and non-governmental organizations. The charge of ECOSChem is to establish an ambitious, actionable definition and criteria for sustainable chemistry that can enable effective government policy, inform business and investor decision making, enhance chemistry education, and spur the adoption across all supply chains of chemicals that are safer and more sustainable. ECOSChem deliberations are informed by key government and non-governmental efforts on the topic to date. Since ECOSChem was formed, 4 large group meetings and several smaller subcommittee meetings have shaped a draft definition and criteria that are now ready for feedback from interested parties. The primary outcome of this project is a published statement (anticipated in 2023) that outlines a usable definition and associated criteria that can catalyze future progress and actions.
Project support: The ECOSChem process is facilitated and supported by Beyond Benign and the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production (LCSP) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The initiative is funded by the New York Community Trust and other philanthropic funders.
External engagement plan: The Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Beyond Benign will host two external engagement meetings on November 1 and 3. Participants are asked to register in advance either here for the November 1st meeting (1-2:30pm ET) or here for the November 3rd meeting (10-11:30am ET). The meetings are not sequential and the same content will be presented at both. At these meetings, the Project Team will introduce the project and the draft Definition and Criteria (15 minutes). Participants will then move into small groups organized by sector that will be moderated by ECOSChem members (45 minutes), followed by a wrap-up session where key input will be shared with the large group with time for discussion (30 minutes). Discussion materials for these meetings will be sent out on October 31st.