Expanding Sustainability Innovations in the Chemical Industry: Integration of Gender Dimensions into the Safe and Sustainable by Design Framework

Having exceeded several of the planetary boundaries, the world is facing mounting environmental crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss and chemical pollution. As one of the most resource-intensive sectors, the chemical industry contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and chemical pollution. Through sustainable innovation processes, integrating environmental, social and economic considerations from the earliest stages of product development, the industry can reduce its impacts. To facilitate this process, the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework, a premarket innovation process proposed by the European Commission, aims to align innovation with safety and sustainability. However, a crucial element of responsible innovation is still missing: The gender dimension. This thesis examined the current state of the SSbD framework, identifies relevant stakeholders and performs a gender analysis of this policy instrument. Furthermore, the positions of stakeholders from the gendered chemicals field were analysed and strategies for integrating gender dimensions are developed. By considering gendered toxicological profiles, respecting behavioural differences and socioeconomic impacts, this policy can support companies in mitigating risk, while also developing products that are more inclusive and competitive. Finally, the opportunities and risks for applying the SSbD framework with gender dimensions in policy and corporate context are assessed.