Routines for the substitution of hazardous substances in products
Level: Advanced
By setting this requirement, you ensure that suppliers work actively to replace substances that are hazardous to the health and environment that are used in their products.
Details
- Type:
- Special contract terms
- ID:
- 11446:1
- Group:
- Washing machines
Criterion text
As part of its operations as manufacturer (trademark owner), the supplier shall have implemented procedures, models, assessment systems or similar, to substitute substances hazardous to the health or environment present in the equipment. The supplier shall also have their own documented procedures for how this should be handled toward the purchaser.
The procedures or similar, shall be documented and put into action throughout the term of the contract. They must at least include the five steps in the European Chemicals Agency's (ECHA's) model for substitution to safer chemicals1:
- Identify substances of concern
- Search for alternatives
- Assess, compare and select alternatives
- Test, implement and improve
- Inform your supply chain
Within [three weeks/other time determined by the contracting organisation] of receiving a request from the contracting organisation, the supplier must present procedures etc. for how these steps are implemented with regards to the contracted products.
1https://echa.europa.eu/sv/know-your-substances-and-needs-substitution
Verification
The tenderer confirms in its tender that the contract terms will be fulfilled during the contract period.
Proposed follow-up
Follow up by requesting a written description of the routines for chemical substitution. The supplier shall provide equivalent information from subcontractors. Follow-up by checking that the routines include the 5 steps in ECHA’s model for Chemical substitution.
The supplier can explain how the routines are implemented for one or a few pieces of equipment at follow-up meetings.
Information about the criterion
This requirement is formulated as contract terms, which does not have to be fulfilled at the tender submission. It shall be fulfilled at the start of the contract or framework agreement or at a later specified time.
The European Chemicals Agency's (ECHA's) model for substitution of chemicals is in agreement with Sweden's model in the Swedish Chemicals Agency's PRIO prioritisation guide. A common assessment system used in the IT industry is GreenScreen™" for Safer Chemicals. This method is also listed by the OECD amongst its assessment methods in the OECD Substitution Toolbox.
Assessing compliance of this requirement may need the assistance of specialist expertise. Note that a requirement obliging suppliers to work to substitute chemicals does not preclude offered products from containing substances hazardous to the health or environment.
Environmental goals
Motive
By actively working to substitute substances hazardous to the health and environment found in products, hazardous substances are replaced with less dangerous alternatives.
Versions history
The version date indicates when the sustainability criterion was created or last updated. Last reviewed dated tells when we last checked that the sustainability criterion still is relevant.
- Current ID
- 11446:1
- Version date
- 2023-05-03
2023-05-03, RequirementID 11446:1: Updated requirementtext, harmonized with IT-requirement requirementID 11328.