The use of hazardous chemicals is a growing problem, causing many negative consequences for both people and the environment. Now Ecoonline has developed a digital tool that give companies the opportunity to reduce their hazardous chemicals by up to 25 percent.
The new feature is a direct result of EcoOnline’s innovative technology, which in this case received support by the state-owned, national development bank “Innovation Norway”. Companies that use products containing harmful chemicals can now seek, compare and replace products based upon information from Ecoonlines digital database – the largest database for chemical information in Northern Europe.
In compliance with the EU-regulations
To limit the use of chemicals and ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment, all companies in the EU are under strict regulation by REACH. This means that hazardous chemicals should not be used if they can be replaced by a less hazardous alternative or process. The requirement for substitution applies especially to chemicals where there is a risk of cancer, gene damage, reproductive damage and allergies.
Helping the customers to make sustainable choices
In addition to the immediate financial gain that reducing harmful products gives, there is a competitive advantage for companies that can prove that they are actively working to reduce their environmental footprint.
– We strive every day to deliver value to our customers by providing future-proof solutions that makes it easier to create healthier, safer and more sustainable working places. We are proud of our customers that already reduces risks for more than 2 million employees, and with our new feature we can make it even easier for them to to reduce use of harmful chemicals, says Göran Lindö, CEO at EcoOnline.
Lindö is also concerned that almost half of EcoOnline’s customers has substances that are registered on the different lists of substances that are so dangerous that they are considered regulated or even prohibited:
– The trend is clear, we are witnessing new substances being added to different lists of chemicals that should be avoided in the global supply chain. If a brand, chemical producer or manufacturer doesn’t incorporate some precautionary principles in their chemicals management strategies I am afraid they expose their business at high risk.
In line with the UN's sustainability goals
The UN’s 17 sustainability targets state that by 2030, environmentally friendly chemicals and waste management will be achieved throughout the life cycle. Emissions to air, water and soil should be reduced to reduce the effects on humans and the environment. For EcoOnline, this goal has been a clear motivation throughout the development process. Responsible for the project in EcoOnline, Tormod Mikalsen Nedreberg has no doubt what it takes to achieve the goals:
– If environmental effects are to be reduced, the occurrence of the hazardous substances must be eliminated where they can. Much of the work on replacing hazardous substances is done manually today, but with new technology and machine learning, Ecoonline can revolutionize the method of mapping, identifying and reducing environmental impact.
