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What is chemical risk management?

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What is chemical risk management?

A chemical risk management system (CRMS) is a structured and systematic approach comprised of risk identification, prioritisation, implementation of risk reduction measures and controlling success.

Why is a chemical risk management system necessary?

Hazardous chemicals pose risks to workers, installations, the environment, and consumers. These risks may arise at the company’s own site, at downstream users’ facilities, and during waste treatment. Risks may arise from companies and consumers handling and emitting these substances, during waste treatment, and in the environment, where emissions usually end-up.

A chemical risk management system supports chemical safety in various aspects:

  • Workplaces can be better organised and exposures be reduced or eliminated

  • Accident prevention is improved, increasing installation safety

  • Information is provided for more strategic use of chemicals and better emission control to the environment

  • The provision of safer consumer products is enhanced

What are the objectives and aims of chemicals risk management?

Ensure worker safety

  • At the own site/workplace
  • At the sites/workplaces of downstream users
  • During waste treatment of production and product wastes

Ensure installation safety

  • Prevent/reduce the likelihood of accidents
  • Minimise impact in the event of accidents
  • Ensure customers can protect their installation and neighbourhood

Ensure product safety

  • Prevent/reduce exposure of consumers to hazardous chemicals

Ensure environmental safety by preventing or reducing harmful emissions.

  • From the production site
  • From the product during use
  • From waste treatment of production and product wastes
Use of substance, mixture, article

What are the main steps in chemical risk management?

  • Identify chemicals and in particular chemicals of concern that you use to make your products and the potential risks resulting from their use,

  • Set priorities regarding which chemicals or usages to deal with first and to decide on the most efficient and effective means to rectify the situation,

  • Implement the relevant measures and activities,

  • Monitor whether the measures are successful, identify deficits in the system hindering the achievement of the goals and take corrective actions, or derive new priorities if the goals are achieved and new challenges can be met.

The scope of risk assessment—and the actions that follow—can vary depending on the perspective and objectives of the assessment. Ideally, all relevant goals should be considered in order to avoid reducing risks in one area, while inadvertently increasing them in another.

A robust risk management system should extend beyond the immediate impacts of production sites. It must also account for:

Product usage: how chemicals behave and affect health and the environment during their usage.

End-of-life stage: including waste treatment, recycling, and potential reuse, which may introduce new risks.

Upstream impacts: advanced assessments also consider risks associated with the production of the chemicals themselves and the sourcing of raw materials used in their manufacture.

By integrating these stages, organisations can better anticipate and mitigate risks throughout the entire lifecycle of a chemical, supporting safer and more sustainable practices.

Corporate chemical risk management systems

A corporate chemical risk management system approach ensures a continuous learning, an efficient use of resources and sustainable and consistent decision-making, which should secure your company’s overall operations.

The corporate chemical risk management system concerns the majority of the internal processes and business units, as well as relations and communication with suppliers, customers, and the authorities. 

All units concerned need to communicate and cooperate to ensure information flows and best decisions are taken. If potential changes concern the composition (and performance) of your mixtures, you should also involve your customers.

The following preconditions are essential for effective Chemical Risk Management (CRM):

  • Corporate chemicals policy and a monitoring system to identify progress and hinderances to it,

  • Register of chemicals-related legal requirements supporting compliance,

  • Chemicals inventory to store and manage data on the purchase and use of chemicals,

  • Trained staff to implement legal information requirements as well as practical and technical ground work, including risk assessment, identification of alternatives and risk reduction measures.

These elements are not just important; they are fundamental. Without them, CRM can neither be effectively implemented nor sustained.

What are the main elements of a chemical risk management system?

  • Chemical policy, potentially as part of a larger corporate or environmental policy,

  • Assigned responsibilities and resources for chemicals risk management tasks,

  • Procedures for priority setting and decision making regarding chemicals,

  • Chemical inventory,

  • A system to monitor compliance with chemical requirements.

Chemical risk management system covers:

  • Purchasing and supplier communication, 

  • Storage and safety issues,

  • Occupational health and safety, 

  • Environmental and waste issues,

  • Product quality and customer communication.

More resources

Fit for REACH (FitReach.eu) is an EU‑funded project that helps companies in the Baltic region and Poland improve chemical risk management, replace hazardous substances, and support circular economy practices. The website provides practical tools, guidance, and best‑practice examples on topics such as chemical procurement, storage, substitution, waste handling, accident response, and communication with authorities. It also features project news, publications, handbooks for formulators, and resources aimed at helping businesses comply with chemical legislation and reduce environmental impact.

Chemicals-related requirements are scattered across legislation. Therefore, it is important to check legislation from different areas including chemicals, products, the installation, worker protection. The list of chemicals-related legislation compiles regulations that may be applicable to your company and its products, helping you identify potentially relevant requirements.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is the EU authority responsible for ensuring the safe use of chemicals to protect human health and the environment. Its homepage provides updates on chemical regulations, scientific committee opinions, upcoming consultations, and guidance documents. It also offers access to key tools and databases such as REACH, CLP, IUCLID, and various chemical safety resources, helping industry, policymakers, and the public stay informed about chemical management in the EU.

  • ECHA database on legal requirement per substance (EUCLEF)​

The page provides access to EUCLEF, a tool from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) that helps users understand which EU laws apply to a given chemical. It centralizes regulatory information across many policy areas, making it easier for companies, researchers, and regulators to check obligations.