VISION
ChemFORWARD unites businesses, governments, and NGOs who share a common vision:
A world where all chemicals are vetted before use
so that no more hazardous chemicals enter circulation, and existing hazardous chemicals can be systematically drawn down and replaced with verified safer alternatives, and ultimately sustainable chemistry.
COLLABORATION leads the WAY
From our team to our partners and advisors, we share a belief that change is not only possible but an urgent imperative. As a collective, our effort is fueled by a shared commitment to create a trusted, globally harmonized repository of safer alternatives that is accessible to all.
Together, we are fundamentally changing the way that chemical hazard data is created, maintained, distributed, consumed and financed.
The transition from hazardous chemicals to safer alternatives will be a disruptor of the global economy, transforming every industry and supply chain.
As a multi-stakeholder collaboration we co-create solutions to successfully navigate the transition and ease the burden on climate and biodiversity while improving human and environmental outcomes from the reduction of toxic chemical pollution.
Uniting many voices under a common mission:
No more toxic chemicals enter circulation.
STRategy
Over the next 5-years, ChemFORWARD is expanding its reach. By 2030 the value and impact of chemical hazard data will be demonstrated in at least 6 consumer facing supply chains. We aim to achieve our ambition mission through 3 strategies, and 10 goals:
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Driving safer chemistry by making the use of chemical hazard data cost-effective, trustworthy, and actionable for users.
Protecting the credibility of the data through science-based leadership and world-class technology.
Demonstrating impact through data driven insights and co-creating solutions to challenges with our stakeholders.
Continuously expand coverage of hazard data
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Fostering market uptake of chemical hazard data to drive outcomes throughout the supply chain, supporting the shift to safe and sustainable product design.
Amplifying the social, environmental, and economic value of transparent chemical hazard data and disclosure through outreach and communications.
Working with market actors to enhance and satisfy demand for chemical hazard data focusing on sectors with the greatest opportunity for impact to achieve our vision.
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Working collaboratively to increase awareness of chemical hazard data as the most credible validation of safer chemistry.
Expanding our partnerships and alliances as efficient ways to contribute to global agendas and boost results beyond our immediate reach.
Activating drivers and incentives from policy to ESG reporting to create push and pull in supply chains.
why and how
TOXIC EXPOSURE IS PREVENTABLE
It is our intention to reverse the decades of negative impacts from the inundation of toxic chemicals that have burdened our products, our economy, our environment, and our bodies. This problem can be solved by preventing the use and presence of hazardous chemicals in everyday products and uncovering safer alternatives for substitution. By organizing, interpreting, and scaling access to chemical hazard data we will stop the unknowing use of toxic chemicals and shift the supply chain to make informed decisions using safer chemistry in the design phase.
EQUITY IS POSSIBLE
Vulnerable groups such as children, women, indigenous people, the poor and workers suffer disproportionate impacts from chemical exposure due to high exposure levels from water, food, location of dwelling, occupational circumstances as well as lack of understanding on the needs to protect themselves. By creating the ability for investors to easily evaluate and compare chemical hazards, we will activate the financial markets end toxic chemical exposure and advance human and environmental equity.
SAFE CHEMISTRY ENABLES CIRCULARITY AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Safe chemistry is a foundation for circular materials and regenerative systems which will have a significant impact on carbon reduction. Efforts to increase energy efficiency and transition to renewable energy can only address 55% of emissions. The remaining 45% will come from producing the products we use every day. Circular systems complete the picture of emissions reduction by transforming the way we make and use products. Without safe chemistry, circular systems and a regenerative economy are not possible. By uncovering and creating broad access to safer alternatives we create appropriate inputs for circular systems.
“Wherever we look - and especially if we look through the lens of poverty - we see that women still bear the greatest burdens.”
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
VALUES DRIVEN CHANGE
INTEGRITY - DIVERSITY - TRANSPARENCY - COLLABORATION - EXCELLENCE
Everything we do is guided by our values, which define our character and culture.
These enduring qualities are the shared convictions that we bring to our work.
They are the fundamental strength of our organization.
HIstory
User-centered design reveals systems transformation potential
ChemFORWARD is an independent project of the Healthy Building Network (HBN), a 501c3 based in Washington, DC. The project began as an internal initiative of the C2C Products Innovation Institute to lower cost and bolster quality assurance for material health assessments in the certification program. In 2017, we initiated a user-centered design process to solve this business requirement for the Institute. The research revealed a market need for cost-effective, verified, actionable chemical hazard data to enable proactive decision making throughout the supply chain and across industry sectors. These insights led the Institute, co-design partners and funders to pursue a new model to make chemical hazard data more transparent, actionable and accessible. In late 2018, the project was spun out of C2CPII to ensure the broadest possible impact.