Welcome to Embark
They say that change is the only constant. However, even the most resilient among us would be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment. The world seems to be in a state of flux – politically, economically, technologically – and this means making forecasts is more difficult than ever.
One thing is clear though: the global sustainability agenda is here to stay. It has become clear that humanity is having a disproportionate impact on the planet, and the alarm has well and truly been sounded. This extends beyond the impact of carbon dioxide emissions on the climate, with the United Nations defining the ‘triple planetary crisis’ as three interlinked issues of climate change, biodiversity loss and – you guessed it – chemical pollution.
The gathering storm
Chemicals are an essential part of modern life. From medicines to electronics, agriculture to personal care, chemistry is everywhere. However, the need to be vigilant to the risks to health and the environment from our use of chemicals is ever-present. The regulatory regime in the EU is unrivalled in its scope, and is about to be supercharged by a range of policy measures from the EU Green Deal and Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The big question is: are we ready for it?
If you are a regulatory professional, you are probably aware of the tidal wave of legislation that is coming. You are likely to already be firefighting against a long list of compliance challenges, making it difficult to do the long-term planning and strategising for the future issues your organisation will need to navigate. You know that a more purposeful and timely approach will likely bring many benefits, and put your organisation on a more sustainable path.
If you are a CEO or senior leader of a business, you will no doubt be acutely aware of the importance of sustainability in maintaining your company’s share price and societal licence to operate. Issues of chemical pollution, if they weren’t before, are now inextricably tied to this. Look no further than the eyewatering sums that 3M has agreed to pay to settle lawsuits related to PFAS in drinking water, or the naming and shaming of brands responsible for the majority of plastic items found in the environment. These examples are only the tip of an iceberg, with chemical issues continuously evolving and metastasising to impact businesses in unexpected ways.
What can be done?
In a recent article following a round table discussion with leading industry scientists and policy experts I tried to capture the essence of what industry was up against when it came to chemicals, and to make the case for collective responsibility and collaboration to address the challenges facing the sector.
I have since established Embark Chemical Consulting with the mission to support organisations to engage proactively in the transition to a sustainable, circular economy. I did this because I am deeply passionate about the sound assessment and management of chemicals. Having spent 15 years working on the implementation of REACH, conducting research at the science-policy interface, and analysing emerging policy, Embark is uniquely positioned to advise and support organisations through these turbulent times.
Things to consider
Upcoming regulatory challenges companies might be facing include addressing the new hazard classes under the CLP regulation, working to maintain compliant REACH dossiers, or dealing with regulatory evaluation and demands for further testing. Such activities are continuously revealing new pain points, such as the need for a large number of new and updated persistence assessments, and the need to carry out testing and assessment of challenging substances, including UVCBs and polymers.
Another common need is in understanding the bigger picture, and what might be coming in the years ahead. Whether you are a manufacturer of chemical substances, of formulated products, or a producer of finished articles, you will inevitably need to untangle the chemical impacts and challenges for your products. Such insights are essential for companies to understand and make timely decisions for long-term sustainability and success, and generally requires a tailored and multidisciplinary approach since no two companies’ contexts, portfolios or challenges are ever the same. It is unfortunate that far too many companies appear to have their heads in the sand on this, and lack the expertise and structures needed to adequately anticipate the looming challenges ahead.
