The SSbD24 Conference on Safe and Sustainable by Design Chemicals and Materials took place from 10-15 November 2024, in Monte Verità, Ascona, Switzerland. Organized by empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology), the event gathered approximately 200 international scientists from academia and industry to discuss methodologies, tools, and criteria for enabling the practical application of SSbD.
The EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability emphasizes the transition towards safer and more sustainable chemicals and materials. To support this, the European Commission introduced an initial SSbD framework in 2022, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach that brings together scientists, regulators, and industry experts. The SSbD24 Conference provided a platform for discussing these challenges and sharing real-world case studies.
The conference also featured insights from experts working on the practical implementation of the SSbD framework, as well as perspectives from regulators on policy needs. A special session dedicated to Early-Stage Researchers helped promote networking and career opportunities in SSbD-related fields.
SSbD4CheM was represented at the conference by Barry Hardy from Edelweiss Connect (EwC), who was invited to present the project. His poster, titled “Safe and Sustainable by Design Framework Supporting Product Design, Risk Assessment, and Life Cycle Analysis,” outlined the progress made in defining the SSbD4CheM framework during its initial phase. Through his presentation, Barry Hardy engaged with researchers from academia and industry, fostering new collaborations and discussions on the operationalization of SSbD principles. By participating in SSbD24, SSbD4CheM reinforced its role in driving the future of safe and sustainable chemical innovation.