Policy Approach
1. EDUCATE
Leveraging deep experience with the entire chemical value chain & the Sustainable Chemistry Catalyst research capabilities, Change Chemistry builds deeper understanding of sustainable chemistry’s benefits, and what’s needed to transform the chemistry sector to meet market demand for safer, more sustainable chemistry.
2. COMMUNICATE
With longstanding working relationships across every stakeholder group involved in sustainable chemistry policy, Change Chemistry works as a neutral convenor and connector to encourage dialogue when there are differences of opinion and seek common ground that broad coalitions can support.
3. ADVOCATE
With membership that spans the full chemical value chain, from startups to chemical manufacturers to global brands & retailers, Change Chemistry directly advocates for policy incentives that drive innovation, commercialization & adoption of safer, more sustainable chemistry.
2025 Policy Work
This year, policy changes are fast and furious. In Europe, a new competitiveness agenda – the Clean Industrial Deal - dominates policy discussions, while in the US, the policy environment is changing daily. With all the turbulence, our focus remains clear: advancing policy incentives to accelerate the development, commercialization, and scale of sustainable chemistry products and processes. In 2025, Change Chemistry members have multiple opportunities to engage as we navigate these dynamic policy environments.
Transatlantic Dialogue: US & EU Policy Incentives
The new group will examine lessons from existing and proposed US and EU frameworks and tools across a range of technology areas. The end product: consensus policy recommendations for practical incentives that span the breadth of the value chain and spur development, commercialization, adoption, and scale of sustainable chemistry. Change Chemistry member input and ideas will be complemented by work at the UMass Lowell Sustainable Chemistry Catalyst to back the recommendations with policy research. A white paper will be issued in Fall, 2025.
US Policy Idea Exchange
In the coming months, Executive Director Joel Tickner will lead a series of open discussions to share updates and ideas as the US policy, administrative, and market environment rapidly changes.
The new US Policy Idea Exchange is designed to enable members to come together and learn from each other. These facilitated discussions will help members understand the implications of these changes and share ideas to respond and adapt to them in ways that continue to advance sustainable chemistry. These insights will shape our engagement with Congress and the new Administration.
Click below for the latest on US policy updates
EU Policy Working Group
Each quarter, the EU Policy Working Group meets to share emerging policy developments in the region and continue to build a stakeholder network to advance sustainable chemistry progress in the context of the Clean Industrial Deal.
As Change Chemistry is building its policy presence in the EU, this working group is focused on identifying targeted opportunities to build awareness of Change Chemistry and bring in our unique perspective in the EU policy landscape, representing the full value chain and focused on policy incentives.
Click below for the latest on EU policy updates
For more information on any of these policy opportunities, please contact Michele Jalbert.
Want to learn more or get involved in Change Chemistry's policy work in the US or EU? Click the links below to learn more.
Sustainable Chemistry Definition
One of the greatest challenges in sustainable chemistry policy work has been creating a common definition to help align efforts across different constituencies. Change Chemistry’s definition of sustainable chemistry was developed through an international multi-stakeholder group process (read the full report here) . This consensus process defined sustainable chemistry as the design of chemicals and chemical products that benefit society without harming health and the environment.
As defined, sustainable chemistry includes the design, development, demonstration, commercialization, and/or use of chemicals and materials that:
- Are less toxic to human health & the environment from extraction through disposal;
- Have lower energy consumption & related emissions;
- Have reduced natural resource impacts and
- Have reduced waste.
Change Chemistry's consensus definition of sustainable chemistry supports innovation, encompasses research & development, and promotes commercialization and adoption.