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Chemicals are essential for the well-being, high living standards and comfort of modern society. They are used in many sectors, including health, energy, mobility and housing.

However, most chemicals have hazardous properties which can harm the environment and human health.

The EU already has sophisticated chemicals laws in place, but global chemicals production is expected to double by 2030. The already widespread use of chemicals will also increase, including in consumer products.

The European Commission published a chemicals strategy for sustainability on 14 October 2020. It is part of the EU’s zero pollution ambition, which is a key commitment of the European Green Deal.

A case study as part of the European Commission's Green Public Procurement resources.  This example from Denmark shows how by using an overarching, centralised procurement strategy across more than 60 municipalities, the Danish government were able to address sustainability hotspots from wooden furniture, by bulk procurement of products that met ambitious sustainability criteria.

The bulk sourcing enabled cost savings, and criteria set ensured that furniture did not contain chemicals of concern identified by both Danish restricted substance lists and the REACH list of substances of very high concern (SVHC).  Products were required to meet higher standards of chemical safety, with dismantling criteria also set to improve circularity.

Safer Consumer Products (SCP) has compiled a list of alternatives to PFASs in carpets and rugs to assist manufacturers looking for substitutes. The alternatives have been grouped into two categories: non-chemical and chemical alternatives. Products and manufacturers are listed but they are not endorsed by SCP and the safety of the alternatives has not been assessed.

In recent years the majority of glues used in wood composite boards have been urea-formaldehyde (UF) and phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins.  However, these products may cause human health issues due to off-gassing of formaldehyde, which is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a potential human carcinogen, which can also cause irritation of the eyes, nose, lungs and throat.

However, development of no-added formaldehyde (NAF) glues and resins is a growing area, which not only provide a safer indoor environment, but also can reduce the use of fossil-based feedstocks, and are biodegradable.  This case study looks at how NAF adhesives based on abundant soybean feedstocks, taking inspiration from processes in nature can address this chemical hotspot, and how the product was intially researched by Dr. Kaichang Li of Oregon State university, and came to market through collaborations with Columbia Forest Products and Hercules.  Soy-based adhesives can now demonstrate cost-competitiveness with UF adhesives, and are being widely procured for buildings seeking to achieve complaince with air quality regulations and higher building rating scores.

Updated list of restricted substances that building materials and products can be checked against.

Product screening tool to proactively identify potential issues and find safer alternatives. Requires a paid licence.

Ecolabel for sustainable products with criteria set for some construction chemicals.

Resource listing products that use PFAS-free, alternative substances, including carpet, sealers, and furniture.

This case study aims to increase the awareness of environmental and health impacts and potential policy interventions to lead to sustainable plastic products from a chemicals perspective using flooring as an example. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that are useful in many building materials and consumer products but have a large potential for harm.   The goal of this report is to inform and inspire building owners, architects, designers, building product manufacturers, and government decision makers to eliminate unnecessary uses of PFAS and to promote the design and use of safer non-PFAS alternatives.