Finding essentiality feasible: common questions and misinterpretations concerning the “essential-use” concept

Cousins, Ian T.; Witt, Jamie C. De; Glüge, Juliane; Goldenman, Gretta; Herzke, Dorte; Lohmann, Rainer; Miller, Mark F.; Ng, Carla A.; Patton, Sharyle; Scheringer, Martin; Trier, Xenia; Wang, Zhanyun

doi:10.1039/d1em00180a

Cited by 26 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Since this first publication, debate between scientists, regulators and chemical manufacturers has been ongoing and the most recent scientific paper published in 2021 [106] sets out to address common questions and possible misinterpretations of the essential use criteria.…”

Section: Essential Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Getting in control of persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances to protect water resources: strategies from diverse perspectives

et al. 2022

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Background Safe and clean drinking water is essential for human life. Persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) substances and/or very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances are an important group of substances for which additional measures to protect water resources may be needed to avoid negative environmental and human health effects. PMT/vPvM substances do not sufficiently biodegrade in the environment, they can travel long distances with water and are toxic (those that are PMT substances) to the environment and/or human health. PMT/vPvM substance research and regulation is arguably in its infancy and in order to get in control of these substances the following (non-exhaustive list of) knowledge gaps should to be addressed: environmental occurrence; the suitability of currently available analytical methods; the effectiveness and availability of treatment technologies; the ability of regional governance and industrial stewardship to contribute to safe drinking water while supporting innovation; the ways in which policies and regulations can be used most effectively to govern these substances; and, the identification of safe and sustainable alternatives. Methods The work is the outcome of the third PMT workshop, held in March 2021, that brought together diverse scientists, regulators, NGOs, and representatives from the water sector and the chemical sector, all concerned with protecting the quality of our water resources. The online workshop was attended by over 700 people. The knowledge gaps above were discussed in the presentations given and the attendees were invited to provide their opinions about knowledge gaps related to PMT/vPvM substance research and regulation. Results Strategies to closing the knowledge, technical and practical gaps to get in control of PMT/vPvM substances can be rooted in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Towards a Toxic Free Environment from the European Commission, as well as recent advances in the research and industrial stewardship. Key to closing these gaps are: (i) advancing remediation and removal strategies for PMT/vPvM substances that are already in the environment, however this is not an effective long-term strategy; (ii) clear and harmonized definitions of PMT/vPvM substances across diverse European and international legislations; (iii) ensuring wider availability of analytical methods and reference standards; (iv) addressing data gaps related to persistence, mobility and toxicity of chemical substances, particularly transformation products and those within complex substance mixtures; and (v) advancing monitoring and risk assessment tools for stewardship and regulatory compliance. The two most effective ways to get in control were identified to be source control through risk governance efforts, and enhancing market incentives for alternatives to PMT/vPvM substances by using safe and sustainable by design strategies.

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Section: Essential Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Getting in control of persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances to protect water resources: strategies from diverse perspectives

et al. 2022

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“…As one step in that direction, the essential-use concept (EUC) has been proposed to accelerate the phase-out of substances of concern such as PFAS (Cousins et al, 2019). The applicability and effectiveness of the EUC have been outlined in detail and exemplified elsewhere (Cousins et al, 2021). It aims to identify uses of substances of concern that can be phased out with the highest priority and without detailed risk assessments.…”

Section: The Way Forward: Identification Of Fccoc Sources and Options...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability: The Case of Food Contact Chemicals of Concern

Zimmermann,

Scheringer,

Geueke

et al. 2022

SSRN Journal

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“…Here, we contribute to ongoing conversations around the implementation of the Essential-Use Concept, specifically regarding the incorporation of the Functional Substitution concept, which was built into the EUC in Cousins et al, 2021 . This viewpoint article further explores the intersection of the two concepts and notes that to effectively support the transition to safer and more sustainable chemicals, materials, products, and processesa key goal of the CSSthe EUC needs to be accompanied by the Functional Substitution concept.…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Employing the Essential-Use Concept by using a function and performance-focused lens is highlighted in both Cousins et al, 2021 and Glüge et al, 2021, who assessed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a variety of applications. As they show, in many cases the level of performance offered by PFAS chemistry is unnecessary (e.g., high oil- and water-repellency is not necessary for leisurewear).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Combined Application of the Essential-Use and Functional Substitution Concepts: Accelerating Safer Alternatives

Roy

Cousins

Harriman

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Finding essentiality feasible: common questions and misinterpretations concerning the “essential-use” concept

Abstract: The essential use concept is a tool that can guide the phase-out of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and potentially other harmful substances of concern. This concept is a novel...

Cited by 26 publications

References 18 publications

Getting in control of persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances to protect water resources: strategies from diverse perspectives

Getting in control of persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances to protect water resources: strategies from diverse perspectives

Implementing the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability: The Case of Food Contact Chemicals of Concern

Combined Application of the Essential-Use and Functional Substitution Concepts: Accelerating Safer Alternatives

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