On Tuesday, together with our partners ARCHE Consulting, we hosted a focused one-hour webinar on Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) in research and innovation projects. The session brought together researchers, consultants, sustainability professionals and project developers to explore how the SSbD framework can be applied in practice, particularly in research or Horizon Europe projects.
Understanding the updated SSbD Framework
A key part of the webinar was exploring the role of the SSbD framework, as developed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). Updated in December 2025, SSbD is a voluntary framework that guides research and innovation on integrating safety and sustainability in line with EU policy objectives.
Participants were guided through the key elements of the framework, from scoping to evaluation, with the SSbD assessment examined in-depth. This involved talking through the three-step approach to the safety assessment of chemicals and materials, providing a practical introduction to completing a Life Cycle Assessment, and an overview of the included socio-economic assessment.
Supporting better innovation choices
The SSbD Framework supports the integration of safety and sustainability considerations early in the research and innovation process. It serves as a decision-support tool that strengthens research design and strategic direction, and prevents regrettable substitution.
During the session, we explored how the framework enables organisations to:
- Screen their existing portfolio by mapping hotspots related to safety and sustainability
- Identify, during the research and development phase, the safest and most sustainable options for future development
- Screen for potential alternatives to substances of (very high) concern
The session highlighted that by evaluating safety and sustainability considerations at an early stage, innovators can reduce downstream risks and avoid costly redesign or regulatory challenges later in development.
Rewatch our webinar
SSbD is a practical framework that is reshaping how research and innovation projects are approached. The SSbD framework is prominently mentioned in Horizon Europe calls. For scientists preparing proposals, R&D and QSHE managers, and sustainability professionals, understanding and applying SSbD is relevant to current and future needs. It also shows how the European Commission aims to guide innovation in reducing the impact from chemicals on humans and the environment.
If you are interested, but were unable to attend our webinar, you can view the recording here.
We are pleased with the strong attendance and positive feedback, confirming the growing interest in practical guidance on implementing SSbD. As Horizon Europe continues to emphasise SSbD, the framework is likely to remain a key consideration in future research and innovation projects.
