Substitution of chemicals dangerous to environment and health
Anyone who pursues an activity must avoid using chemical products that may involve risks to human health or the environment, if they can be replaced by products that are assumed to be less dangerous (The ‘substitution principle’, Chapter 2, Section 4 of the Swedish Environmental Code).
The University shall work on the substitution of any chemicals used that are dangerous to health and the environment. Naturally, substitutions will only be made where this can be done without jeopardising the quality of our research and education.
An alternative way to reduce the use of dangerous chemical products is to switch to a method or technology that is assumed to be less dangerous.
National Substitution Group
The National Substitution Group (NSG) is a national network of people from universities, county councils and regions, with the aim of helping to replace hazardous chemicals in research and education as well as health- and medical care.
Exchange list
The group's work on substitution has resulted in an substitution list that gives concrete proposals for substitutions of chemicals, handling routines and methods.
Review the list at your department and substitute your hazardous substances for the proposed alternative products. Each substitution has been successfully implemented in at least one of the network organisations. The list is continuously updated with new substitutions.
University participation
Uppsala University is represented in the group by the University's chemical coordinator. The group meets regularly to exchange experiences.
NSG's webpage. Here you find the substitution list both in Swedish and in English.
Suggestion for a new substitution?
Has your department/equivalent implemented the use of a new chemical with less hazardous properties or a method that uses less amount of hazardous chemical?
Please, describe the substitution in an e-mail to the Chemical Coordinator at the Unit for Environment and Physical Work Environment. State which product you have substituted and in which handling. Specify if it is a substitution, change of method or phasing out. Describe the new handling with as much details as possible.
In this way the Chemical Coordinator can spread information about the substitution to others at the University and also in the National substitution group for chemical products (NSG).
Phase-out and risk reduction substances Swedish Chemicals Agency
In connection with the national environmental objective of a non-toxic environment, the Swedish Chemicals Agency has produced prioritisation lists for phase-out substances and risk reduction substances. These lists can help us in our work on substitution.
PRIO - KemI's tool for substitution. Phase-out and risk reduction substances.