WSP, a leading professional services firm, today announced its role in a European Commission pilot project designed to develop and test options for a network of substitution centres. These centres will provide support to companies, particularly SMEs, in substituting hazardous substances with safer and more sustainable alternatives.
Recognising that more support is needed to help companies, particularly SMEs, substitute hazardous substances, the European Parliament backed this initiative. In response, the European Commission has launched this pilot project to explore how this support could be provided, in addition to substance-specific studies.
WSP and its project partners – RI:SE, Green Chemical Design, Green Rose Chemistry, and Wyeside Consulting – are supporting the Commission by researching options for a potential EU network of substitution centres and testing its function through a prototype secretariat.
Gillian Federici, Associate, Environmental Policy and Economics at WSP, commented: "WSP is proud to be supporting the European Commission on this important project. By researching and testing different approaches to setting up centre(s) that will drive substitution, we can help create a valuable network of support for businesses across Europe, delivering innovation and promoting a safer, more sustainable future."
The project will unfold in several stages. First, the team will map out current support for chemical substitution across Europe, including launching a public survey to gather insights. This survey is open until 18 April. Next, they will explore different ways to structure and operate a potential EU-wide network of substitution centres.
A stakeholder workshop later in the year will bring together experts to discuss the most promising options. Following the workshop, the team will put a prototype secretariat to the test, working with pilot groups focused on replacing PFAS in batteries and chromium (VI) in hard chrome plating.
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