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Substitution of chemicals: How to choose safer alternatives

Substitution is an important measure to improve the working environment, minimise environmental impact and make it easier to meet requirements from authorities and customers. Here are the basics you need to know about chemical substitution.

What is chemical substitution?

Substitution is about replacing a hazardous chemical with a safer alternative. It can involve replacing substances that are harmful to the environment or health, or changing processes so that the chemical is not needed at all.

Why substitute chemicals?

Substitution should be considered every time the company adopts new products, processes or technologies, especially when chemicals with health and environmental hazards are in use. The duty of substitution means that companies must actively consider alternatives when they exist, as long as this does not entail unreasonable costs or disadvantages.

Employers are required to assess and, where possible, replace hazardous chemicals with less hazardous alternatives. This follows from the Working Environment Act, Regulations on the Performance of Work and the Product Control Act, which together form the basis for the substitution obligation. The requirement also covers packaging and work processes that can affect exposure, in line with the principle of using the safest available alternatives.

Examples of substitution

Here are some examples of chemicals with safer alternatives:

Isocyanates in some adhesives, sealants and foams can be replaced with isocyanate-free or water-based products.
Solvent-based paints and varnishes can be replaced with water-based paint systems with lower VOC content.
Oil-based coolants and lubricants can be replaced with water-soluble or synthetic coolants with lower health risks.
Packaging for cleaning agents can be switched to solutions with reduced aerosol formation (e.g. pump bottle or foam dispenser) to minimise inhalation risk and exposure during use.

Substitution always requires a specific assessment, because conditions vary from business to business.

Challenges with substitution

There are some challenges with substitution in practice. Here are the most typical ones:

There is a lack of good substitutes: There is not always a better alternative with the same technical quality without the same risk.
Can be costly: Alternative chemicals can be more expensive than current products. In such cases, you need to consider the risk of keeping current chemicals versus the cost of switching to safer alternatives.
It can be time-consuming: Searching for alternatives, testing them, documenting, getting approval and changing procedures can take time.
May be unknown or new risk factors: Substitutes are not necessarily completely harmless. Alternative products may have other hazards that need to be considered.
New chemicals require training and new routines: New chemicals may involve changes in handling, storage and protective equipment. Inadequate training or adaptations can lead to misuse and accidents.

Benefits of substitution

Although substitution may seem challenging, it is one of the most important and effective ways to reduce chemical risks. Here are some of the benefits:

Safer working environment: Replacing hazardous chemicals reduces the risk of accidents and health problems.
Less environmental impact: Substitution can contribute to fewer emissions of environmentally hazardous substances.
Meeting stakeholder requirements: Customers, business partners and society in general are placing ever higher demands on the environment and safety.
Regulatory compliance: Choosing safer alternatives can help meet legal requirements from the Working Environment Act, REACH, CLP and other regulations.
Safer operations and delivery: Products that are hazardous to health and the environment may be subject to restrictions on use and sale through regulations.
Strengthened competitiveness: Through innovation, green profile and lower risk of future restrictions or costs, the business can strengthen its position in the market.

How to implement substitution?

The Norwegian Environment Agency recommends a step-by-step process for substitution:

1. Get information

Identify which chemicals are used or planned to be used and assess the risk to health and the environment based on safety data sheets (SDS) and probability of exposure. Consider not only the hazard of the substance, but also the exposure situation. Involve your employees early in the process as they often have valuable practical experience.

2. Check if there are alternatives

Investigate possible alternatives through suppliers, industry associations or digital tools. Consider technical, practical and financial aspects.

3. Assess, compare and select

Compare the options in terms of risk, environmental impact, resource use and costs, and choose the one that provides the lowest overall risk and greatest benefit. Feel free to test the option on a small scale before full transition to ensure it works in practice.

4. Inform customers and suppliers

Share information about new chemicals or processes so that the change can be communicated throughout the value chain.

There are a number of resources and digital tools that can help identify, assess and document the substitution of chemicals. By working systematically to identify and introduce safer alternatives, businesses can reduce risk, meet regulatory and customer requirements and strengthen their competitiveness. Replacing hazardous chemicals is therefore not just about removing risk, but about creating new opportunities.