Previous work

The ChemSec Business Group has collaborated in many different ways, here are some examples.

Sony Ericsson launches GreenHeart phones

At a webcast press conference today, mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson, member of the ChemSec Business Group, launched its new GreenHeart products with focus on sustainable innovation. The project builds on Sony Ericsson long standing commitment to eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals from its phones.

At the launch, ChemSec Senior Policy Advisor Nardono Nimpuno expressed support for the initiative: -Sony Ericsson's engagement in the ChemSec Business Group, in conjunction with Sony Ericsson's internal work on chemicals management is confirmed in the GreenHeart project".

ChemSec and Sony Ericsson on EuroNews, May 2009

A Euronews Parlamento programme on REACH was broadcast in the beginning of May. ChemSec was asked to participate, with it's SIN List highlighted as a way of implementing a stronger REACH. ChemSec Senior Policy Advisor Nardono Nimpuno describes the SIN List, and Mats Pellbäck-Sharp from Sony Ericsson, one of the companies in the ChemSec Business Group, explains how Sony Ericsson works with toxic use reduction.

Also contributing to the programme is Lisette van Vliet, Toxics Advisor at HEAL (Health and Environmental Alliance) and member of the SIN List Advisory Committee.
View the Euronews Parlamento programme on REACH

Substitution Conference, September 2008

The launch of the SIN List was one of the highlights at the ChemSec Substitution Conference at the Renaissance hotel in Brussels on the 17th Septeber 2008. The event gathered 160 participants representing a broad range of stakeholders. Mr. Geert Dancet, the Executive Director of ECHA, gave a key-note speech on the state of play of the REACH Authorisation process. Key stakeholders from industry and the ChemSec Business Group, e.g. Sony-Ericsson, Dell, H&M, Sara Lee, Skanska discussed substitution of hazardous chemicals.

The SIN (Substitute It Now!) List, launched in September 2008

The ChemSec Business Group has been actively involved in the development of the SIN List, a list developed by ChemSec of the most hazardous substances according to REACH, the new EU chemicals legislation.

Workshop on REACH implementation and ways to prepare for Authorisation

2008 is the year that EUs new REACH-body will become operational. The newly established European Chemicals Agency, ECHA, will start its work in June 2008, with pre-registration at the top of its agenda. In addition, the Authorisation process will start to develop, with the setting up of an inventory of Substances of Very High Concern for which companies will need a special authorisation for manufacture and use. In the long run, identification of a substance as a Substance of Very High Concern will encourage businesses to move away from the substance and start looking for alternative, sustainable long-term solutions.

Pro-active companies are already now starting to prepare for Authorisation. Especially companies close to consumers and end-users are looking at ways to be ahead of developments, seeking to avoid ingredients that consumers might not want to see in their products and that authorities will be restrictive in approving for use.On 11-12 December, ChemSec organised a work shop with its Business Group to discuss these and related chemicals matters. The always relevant challenges the companies face in their in supply chain management was discussed as well as problems, solutions and ways forward surrounding Substitution of hazardous chemicals.

The meeting was held at the Stockholm headquarters of the Swedish Water and wastewater operators, Svenskt Vatten, members of Eureau and hosted by Mr. Anders Finnson. A given topic for discussion was the REACH NGO Priority List of Substances of Very High Concern being developed under the stewardship ChemSec and the possibility for an input of the Business Group into the project.

Also, an up-coming ChemSec Substitution Conference, planned for the second quarter of 2008, was discussed. The Business Group, with a focus on producers of consumer goods, discussed preferred structure and content of such a conference, as well as ways to provide an input through case-studies and sharing of best practices. Companies taking part in the work shop were Dell, Boots the Chemist, Skanska, Basta, Eureau, Sony Ericsson, H&M, IKEA, Electrolux, B&Q, Sara Lee and L'Oreal.

Eureau and Skanska urge Council to back Parliament position on REACH, October 2006

In an Open Letter from Eureau and Skanska on REACH, EU Ministers responsible for the new EU Chemicals regulation are urged to support the position taken by the European Parliaments Environment Committee.

Open letter

Chemsec Seminar, September 2006
Authorisation and REACH:Substitution from a company perspective - Problems, challenges, solutions

On 12 September 2006, The International Chemical Secretariat, Chemsec, in collaboration with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and representatives of multinational companies active in different sectors on the global market, organised a seminar on REACH, the new EU-chemicals regulation, in the European Parliament, Brussels.

The outcome of the Chemsec Seminar was clear: many European businesses stand to gain from a strong chemicals regulation, which increases information in the supply chain and provides a mechanism for the phasing out of the most hazardous substances. The message from business was unambiguous: We want the screening to be done up-stream to prevent hazardous substances and products from ever reaching our work-force and our customers.

Substitution from a company perspective