SSbD Knowledge Sharing Portal

FAQs

What is Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD)?

SSbD is a general approach to foster safety and sustainability considerations within the innovation process of chemicals and materials throughout their life cycle. In 2022, the European Comission proposed a framework for the assessment of SSbD that can be applied to both existing and newly developed chemicals and materials. This framework had been extensively tested and was updated at the end of 2025. The current framework features a tiered and iterative approach to assess safety and environmental as well as socio-economic sustainability. It starts with a scoping analysis that allows for identifying the SSbD system under consideration. The assessment is considered to be iterative; i.e. a simplified assessment may start early in the innovation process when only limited information is available. As the innovation increases, more data can be used to substantiate the assessment. More background information on the framework, its rationale and requirements can be found in the “Introduction to SSbD”.

Who is SSbD for?

The SSbD concept is primarily addressed to those involved in the research and development of new chemicals, materials and products, including industry, as well as to those aiming to improve the safety and sustainability of existing chemicals, materials and products.

What approaches and principles is SSbD based on?

SSbD is based on the idea of identifying and minimising the safety and sustainability impacts of chemicals throughout their whole life cycle. The urgency to do so is enshrined in the concept of planetary boundaries. Several approaches have been developed to promote safety and sustainability considerations in chemistry, which underpin the current SSbD concept (see “Introduction to SSbD”). However, the topic of SSbD is still evolving and more and more documents providing concepts, frameworks, tools and guidance are being published. The first framework has been proposed by the EC in 2022. This framework had been extensively tested and was updated at the end of 2025.

Is SSbD a regulation?

SSbD is considered as a non-regulatory and pre-market approach that can be used on a voluntary basis. The EC SSbD framework is aimed at organisations wishing to strengthen safety and sustainability aspects in the design, production, use and/or end of life of their chemicals and materials. Yet, the use of SSbD framework supports the identification of regulatory information requirements to be fulfilled and possible conflicts with legal obligations related to a product throughout its life cycle. However, applying the EC SSbD framework will not automatically ensure complying with or absolving from legal obligations. For more information on the link between the pre-regulatory SSbD approach and related regulations please visit “SSbD and the link to EU legislation”.

What are the benefits of applying SSbD?

The EC SSbD framework helps companies to identify potential safety and sustainability issues at an early stage, allowing them to adjust their innovation process based on early screening for potential adverse effects and thus, identifying the need for re-design. SSbD will support the generation of sound knowledge and data on the safety and sustainability of the chemicals/materials under investigation. It will help to identify hot spots of concern, support the identification of safer and more sustainable alternatives, and avoid misinvestments (“fail early, fail cheap”). On the one hand, companies will reduce the risk of future liability for damage to human health and the environment. On the other hand, they are encouraged to innovate, which provides them with a competitive advantage.  

Being socially responsible and anticipating regulatory issues makes companies future-proof. If established as an integrated part of business models, SSbD supports companies' readiness to comply with regulatory obligations and requirements once they enter the market. It will also support preparedness for future expected legislation that may require measures for safer and more sustainable chemicals, processes and products or to replace substances of concern. However, applying the EC SSbD framework will not automatically ensure complying with or absolving from legal obligations but support in avoiding regulatory burden. For more information on the link between the pre-regulatory SSbD approach and related regulations, please visit “SSbD and the link to EU legislation".

SSbD helps companies to have a good reputation and to be attractive to partners, investors, employees and consumers who are increasingly demanding safe and sustainable products. In addition, by interacting more closely, value chain partners develop a common language and work method that facilitates cooperation. 

Is there guidance available on SSbD implementation?

The EC SSbD framework presents the most elaborated and complete approach to assess the safety and sustainability of chemicals and materials throughout their life cycle. However, its implementation is still challenging, and difficulties have been encountered, e.g. regarding the assessment along the innovation steps. Therefore, in 2024 the EC provided a methodological guidance (JRC Publications Repository - Safe and Sustainable by Design chemicals and materials - Methodological Guidance ↗) on the SSbD framework which provides explanations and examples on the identified challenges. At the end of 2025, a revised version of the framework was published. This updated framework introduced a new structure for safety and sustainability assessments, and a more detailed section on socio-economic sustainability assessment. Additionally, a scoping analysis was integrated to help identify the SSbD system, the specific innovation to which the framework will be applied, and the relevant actors involved throughout the innovation's  life cycle. To support the SSbD assessment evaluation, the framework presents an example dashboard that visualizes the results, trade-offs, and uncertainties of the assessment. Furthermore, the framework includes a section on documentation, aimed at systematically and transparently recording the key elements required for the implementation of SSbD. The application of SSbD requires multidisciplinary expertise and therefore specific education and training is needed to provide the necessary skills. “Education and training” allows the selection of education material on SSbD tailored to specific needs. Community exchange (see “User community”) of experiences in applying the SSbD framework is key to the successful implementation of SSbD. First case studies are available (see “Case studies”). Assistance to apply the PARC SSbD toolbox (see “Tools for SSbD”) is given in the accompanying guidebook. With time, practical experience will also contribute to the maturity and completeness of available guidance. 

Are there any instruments or tools available to help me implement SSbD?

To assess chemicals and materials based on the EC SSbD framework, data and tools (models, methods) are needed to address the different aspects, criteria and indicators relevant for safety and sustainability assessment. Several databases and tools are available to assist in this. Within PARC, a toolbox is being developed, providing a structured collection of tools that can be used to address the different safety and sustainability assessment parts of the EC SSbD framework and according to the data availability at the different stages of innovation. It also featured a so called “wizard” that guides users through the entire assessment process as well as an inventory of databases which can be employed to collect already available data for the assessment. More information on the toolbox can be found under “Tools for SSbD”. The PARC SSbD toolbox is available here ↗.

Where can I find announcements on important developments and events related to SSbD?

Information on upcoming events relevant to SSbD is shared within the PARCopedia user community group on SSbD ↗. There, you can also find out about the latest developments in SSbD, such as new reports or important research updates.  

At the PARCopedia user community group, you are also invited to disseminate news and events you believe relevant. 

What was the process behind the development of the SSbD Knowledge Sharing Portal? 

This portal is developed based on the stakeholders' needs. In 2023, a survey was distributed to relevant stakeholders to identify the needs regarding information, education and training material for SSbD. This information was used for the framing of the SSbD knowledge sharing portal, as well as for the selection of appropriate material presented at that portal. This report summarises the main results and most relevant responses to the survey regarding educational material selection for the knowledge sharing portal as well as defining the application area and limits of coverage of the SSbD knowledge sharing portal.

If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact us at portalparc-ssbd [dot] eu.