On 17th June 2026, the SSbD4CheM project contributed to stakeholder dialogue on data-driven Safe and Sustainable materials design with its active participation in the stakeholder event “Advanced Materials: How to Go from Data to Design through the Scope of SSbD?”, organized by the CheMatSustain project following its 5th General Assembly in Valencia. The event brought together experts from EU research projects, industry, and academia to explore how data, databases, artificial intelligence (AI), and Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) principles can accelerate innovation in advanced materials.

SSbD4CheM was featured in the latest edition of the BNN QUARTERLY 02/2026, entitled “Women at the Forefront of Science & Innovation” with three articles:

1. “SSbD4CheM: Women Driving Safer and Sustainable Innovation”
2. “Recap of the 2nd NSC Workshop on ‘SSbD Scenarios,’ Held on 5 December 2025”
3. Interviews with Yvonne Kohl and Tassos Papadiamantis

Read the BNN QUARTERLY here:
https://lnkd.in/dkp3gHUQ

On 7 July 2026, Milica Velimirovic (VITO) participated in the kick-off event of the Belgian Plastic Pollution Research Community (BPPRC) held in Ghent, Belgium. The event gathered over 40 experts from 10 Belgian universities, research institutes, and 3 policy-related bodies.

The BPPRC is a collaborative network of Belgian researchers dedicated to understanding, monitoring, and addressing plastic pollution in Belgian ecosystems and beyond. Their mission is to bring scientists, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders together to advance knowledge on plastic pollution, understand environmental and human health effects, support risk assessment and mitigation measures, as well as evidence-based solutions for a litter-free environment, and advance the scientific state-of-the-art.

In the meeting, Milica engaged with this interdisciplinary platform in thematic focus groups mapping Belgian expertise in microplastics, ecotoxicological effect studies, and human health risk assessments. By participating in these discussions, Milica also in front of SSbD4CheM advocated for the integration of Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) principles early in the lifecycle of materials to mitigate the very plastic pollution and toxicity challenges highlighted by the community. 

Read the whole recap on the website of the Belgian Plastic Pollution Research Community.

In March 2026, the SSbD4CheM project actively contributed to two major European events dedicated to advancing the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework, both held in Brussels.

The project participated in the 6th EC SSbD Stakeholder Event: ‘Safe and Sustainable by Design: Accelerating the Industrial Transition’ on 19 March 2026, followed by the SSbD Horizon Europe Projects Networking Event on 20 March 2026. Together, these events brought around 60 participants from a broad range of stakeholder groups, including EU institutions, industry, innovators, investors, and representatives from research and policy communities.

The discussions highlighted the critical role of collaboration between research projects, industry, and policymakers in maximising the impact of SSbD approaches. Taking place shortly after the adoption of the revised SSbD framework, the events highlighted the European Union’s strong commitment to fostering the development of chemicals and materials that are safe and sustainable by design, addressing potential risks early in the innovation process.

SSbD4CheM was represented by Milica Velimirovic (VITO) , and Barry Hardy (EwC). Andreas Falk from BNN also participated in his role as part of the NSC coordination team, and as partner of SSbD4CheM. During the networking event, Milica delivered an oral presentation showcasing the SSbD4CheM project. She introduced the project’s tools and methodologies, demonstrating how integrated assessment approaches and toolboxes are being developed to support informed decision-making and lifecycle analysis. [DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19913251]

The participation in both events provided valuable opportunities to strengthen connections with other Horizon Europe projects and key stakeholders. In particular, the networking event fostered discussions on future collaboration and contributed to building a stronger, more connected SSbD ecosystem across Europe.

SSbD4CheM remains committed to supporting the implementation of the SSbD framework and to contributing to a safer and more sustainable chemicals and materials landscape.

SSbD4CheM was represented at the SETAC North America 46th Annual Meeting, one of the leading international conferences dedicated to environmental science, toxicology, and sustainable solutions in environmental chemistry.

Organised by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), the annual meeting gathered from 16-20 November 2025 in Portland (Oregon) more than 1.500 participants from research institutions, international organisations, regulatory bodies, local and national authorities, regional stakeholders, and end-user communities from across the world.

During the event, Connor Hardy from Edelweiss Connect, partner of the SSbD4CheM project, presented a poster entitled “Hazard profiling and characterisation supporting Safe and Sustainable by Design Workflows applied to chemicals and materials”. The presentation highlighted the project’s objectives, ongoing activities, and recent progress in supporting Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) approaches for chemicals and materials.

Participation in the conference provided an excellent opportunity to promote the SSbD4CheM project within the North American SETAC community, while also fostering networking and exchange with researchers, policymakers, and industry representatives working towards safer and more sustainable chemical innovation.