ChemFORWARD Releases v2 Chemical Rating Guidance
ChemFORWARD Chemical Rating Guidance
Version 2.0 Announcement - January 2024
Version 2 (v2) changes include a new D Hazard Band that enables organizations to identify chemicals of moderate to high hazard, including members of chemical classes of concern such as PFAS.
Introduction
ChemFORWARD is a science-based non-profit organization that provides access to comprehensive chemical hazard information throughout the supply chain, catalyzing the adoption of verified safer alternatives while also providing a trusted bridge for verified hazard information between suppliers and buyers.
ChemFORWARD populates a shared repository of comprehensive chemical hazard assessments (CHA) produced by qualified toxicology firms and peer-reviewed by independent toxicology experts. This interface allows users to search for chemicals by function and other properties.
ChemFORWARD CHAs assess 24 human and environmental health endpoints across multiple exposure routes, following Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)-based methodologies. We also provide screening of a chemical’s presence on hundreds of authoritative lists. Chemicals with CHAs are assigned Hazard Bands on an A-F scale using transparent, harmonized rules that consider uncertainties and data gaps. Hazard Bands allow stakeholders to easily identify safer alternatives based on the totality of the hazard data.
Drivers for the Update
Updates to Version 1.0 Chemical Rating Guidance were pertinent for several reasons:
Narrow the C Hazard Band. The C Hazard Band (equivalent to GreenScreen Benchmark-2) was excessively broad. As more CHAs were added to the repository, clear distinctions between “C+” and “C-” Hazard Band chemicals were emerging;
Align chemical ratings with ChemFORWARD’s SAFER requirements for trade name materials;
Incorporate changes reflected in updates to the Cradle to Cradle Certification (C2CC) Methodology and Restricted Substances List (RSL); and
Develop a mechanism by which chemicals belonging to a chemical class of emerging human and/or environmental health concern (and therefore, business and regulatory risk) may be addressed in the absence of a full CHA (e.g., PFAS, halogenated organics).
v2 Updates
In conjunction with our network of toxicology, hazard assessment, and alternatives assessment experts, ChemFORWARD identified and drafted key updates to the Chemical Rating paradigm, addressing the above points. Next, the team held several stakeholder feedback meetings with various governmental, industry, and NGO partners - as well as our assessor and verifier community. This ensured updates were aligned with best practices within the scientific community while delivering on our mission to provide chemical ratings that are health and environmentally protective.
The v2 ChemFORWARD Chemical Rating Guidance is available on our website with a complete description of the revised criteria. Key changes include:
1) Establishment of the D Hazard Band. This Hazard Band enables organizations to identify chemicals of moderate to high hazard that do not currently meet F Hazard Band criteria but that are unlikely to meet “safer” chemistry definitions. D Hazard Band chemicals include, but are not limited to:
x/c-CMR(2)-E Chemical Rating. Chemicals with RED (Category 2) reproductive/developmental toxicity in C2CC view PLUS evidence of endocrine activity.
x* Chemical Rating. Per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS,) Chlorinated and Brominated Organic Substances, Chemicals with Climatic Relevance, and Chemicals on ECHA’s Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern for Authorisation for Respiratory Sensitising Properties and Equivalent Concern. See guidance for chemical class exemption criteria, allowing a CHA to override an x* rating.
2) Establishment of the new Chemical Rating: x-Reg. This rating captures chemicals of regulatory concern due to high human or environmental health hazards for which an F Hazard Band will always apply (a CHA cannot override an x-Reg driven F Hazard Band).
3) Adjustment of data gap rules. Chemicals with a data gap for Endocrine Disruption/Activity will receive a maximum B Hazard Band but can receive a lower Hazard Band according to relevant hazards.
The impact of the changes to existing CHA Hazard Bands in the ChemFORWARD repository when applying the Chemical Rating Guidance Version 2.0 are as follows:
12 CHAs changed from Hazard Band C → D due to x/c-CMR(2)-E chemical rating.
11 CHAs changed from Hazard Band A → B due to Endocrine Disruption/Activity data gap.
8 CHAs changed from Hazard Band C → D due to x* list-based changes.
2 CHAs changed from Hazard Band C → F due to the establishment of x-Reg chemical rating.
All new CHAs moving forward will be scored using the v2 rating guidance.
Conclusion
The ChemFORWARD chemical rating revisions advance ChemFORWARD’s ability to elevate verified safer chemistry while flagging areas of emerging concern, particularly chemicals that are unlikely to meet “safer” chemistry definitions. Creating a D Hazard Band provides more actionable guidance for users by providing enhanced granularity with respect to what is considered safer chemistry (A, B, Cs) and what is not (Ds and Fs).
These updates propel alignment with the chemical hazard assessment community goals to provide health and environmentally proactive guidance with regard to chemicals used in the supply chain.
Looking Ahead
The ChemFORWARD team will continue to monitor feedback regarding these updates and to help ChemFORWARD users integrate the changes into their policy, regulatory, and certification programs. We will also continue to engage industry leaders who use ChemFORWARD CHAs in their chemical management programs to advance the integration of chemical screening into purchasing decisions.
As part of our continuous improvement commitments, ChemFORWARD convenes assessors and verifiers monthly to evolve the guidance and stay abreast of best practices in chemical hazard assessment and the use of CHAs in alternative assessments.
ChemFORWARD welcomes feedback on these revisions. Please direct any comments or questions to info@chemforward.org.
