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"From January 5, 2021, information about products that contain substances of very high concern and are brought onto the market in the EU must be reported to the European Chemicals Agency," explain environmental expert Axel Dick and occupational safety expert Eckehard Bauer from Quality Austria . Waste disposal companies can access this data so that these substances are not unintentionally recycled and processed into new products. Consumers can also find information there. The experts explain what manufacturers and consumers can expect and how this will boost the circular economy.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has drawn up a long list of substances of very high concern. "All products that are offered in the EU and contain a concentration of more than 0,1 percent by mass of these substances must be entered in the ECHA's SCIP database from January 5, 2021," explains Eckehard Bauer, Business Developer for Risk and security management, business continuity, transport at Quality Austria. The database is at the web address https://echa.europa.eu/de/scip reachable. One example of many of these substances is the plasticizer diisobutyl phthalate, which can be found in dispersion adhesives, among other things. If it is used to glue cardboard boxes that are processed into food packaging after recycling, the substance can possibly migrate to the food and be harmful to health. Especially for professionals such as B. Safety experts who prepare the risk assessments (workplace evaluations), the SCIP database offers a good and quick overview of substances of very high concern (the so-called SVHC - Substance of Very High Concern).
Consumers can use SCIP for their buying behavior
Numerous actors are obliged to report: all manufacturers, assembly companies, importers, dealers and other companies in the supply chain based in the EU. This does not apply to retailers who deliver directly to consumers. The collection of data serves a number of purposes. The greater transparency helps consumers make purchasing decisions, encourages industry to substitute these substances with harmless alternatives and, as a result, also contributes to a better circular economy. On the one hand, because this data is also available to waste recycling companies. On the other hand, so that these substances are ideally avoided during product development and thus do not even get into the cycle. “The circular economy is one of the EU's major projects. Therefore, companies should start now to work in a circular manner and to take environmental and safety aspects into account more closely, ”advises Axel Dick, Business Developer for Environment and Energy, CSR at Quality Austria. Circular economy start with product design. According to the expert's recommendation, the following points can have positive effects.
10 tips for companies on the road to circularity:
Product development: Companies should consider substances of very high concern such as B. Avoid carcinogenic or mutagenic substances during product development and substitute them with other substances. The products should be modular, easy to repair and easy to dismantle.
Supply Chain: In the course of the procurement process, more detailed information about the suppliers or purchased semi-finished products should be obtained.
longevity: The goods produced must be made more durable.
Service: The producers should offer more maintenance and repairs and facilitate the exchange of individual parts through modular product designs.
customer retention: If a product is completely unusable, taking it back and z. B. by issuing discount vouchers, brand loyalty can be enforced.
Quality: The secondary raw materials must be of high quality so that they can be used again and again in the interests of the circular economy.
transport routes.: Purchasing from local suppliers ensures short transport routes and protects the environment.
work safety: Products not only have to be safe during manufacture and use, but also when they are recycled, no harmful substances may escape and endanger the workers or the environment as a result.
Management systems: The implementation of environmental and energy management systems as well as occupational safety and health protection provides a lot of data that enable fact-based decisions.
Certification: With the Cradle to Cradle certificate, the recyclability and environmental friendliness of products can be shown transparently.
More information about the SCIP database: https://echa.europa.eu/de/scip
More information about Cradle to Cradle: https://www.qualityaustria.com/produkt/cradle-to-cradle-und-iso-konzepte-zur-foerderung-der-kreislaufwirtschaft/
Image source: Pixabay
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