ChemSelect - new tool helps companies assess the sustainability of chemicals
Companies can now more easily assess the sustainability of the chemicals used in their products and processes with a new web application. ChemSelect is a free and user-friendly tool designed specifically with the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in mind.
To support companies in making more sustainable and safer choices, the web application ChemSelect has been developed. It allows users to create sustainability profiles for substances and mixtures and to compare different chemicals with each other.
How does ChemSelect work?
ChemSelect uses nine key criteria to evaluate substances and mixtures, providing a comprehensive overview of a chemical's impact. These criteria include:
- Impact on human health and the environment
- Climate impact and ozone depletion potential
- Resource consumption and recyclability
- Inclusion in lists of problematic substances
- Supplier responsibility
The user enters data about the chemical being assessed into the tool, based on sources such as its safety data sheet. ChemSelect is not a database but an analysis tool - meaning the user must input the information about the chemicals themselves. The application then presents the results using an easy-to-understand traffic light system (green, yellow, red), which helps to quickly identify problematic properties.
Who is ChemSelect for?
The tool is primarily aimed at SMEs that use chemicals in their products or production processes. It is suitable, for example, for paint manufacturers, textile companies, and dry cleaners. A basic knowledge of chemicals, such as the ability to read and understand safety data sheets, is sufficient to use ChemSelect.
The application is intuitive and includes user guides, making it accessible even to companies that do not have a dedicated department for sustainability assessment. Additionally, the tool is available in 10 languages - English, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, Polish, German, French, Portuguese, Arabic and Spanish.
Companies concerned about the privacy of their data can also download and install ChemSelect on their own server instead of using the web application.
Why is assessing the sustainability of chemicals important?
Choosing more sustainable chemicals helps companies to:
- Reduce the environmental and health impacts of their operations.
- Enhance their reputation and reduce business risks.
- Lower risk management costs.
- Ensure compliance with future regulations.
ChemSelect offers practical support for companies that want to make their operations more sustainable and make more informed decisions when selecting chemicals.
You can find the ChemSelect tool here - https://chemselect.uba.de/