Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) is a transformative approach to innovation that integrates functionality with safety, sustainability, and circularity from the earliest stages of development. By adopting a lifecycle perspective, SSbD not only minimizes risks to human health and the
environment but also fosters purpose-driven innovation and strengthens industrial competitiveness. However, the practical integration of SSbD into
iterative innovation processes remains a key challenge. To address this gap, this study conducted a comprehensive literature review of existing SSbD
roadmaps, guidelines, and frameworks, aligning them with the early, mid, and late stages of innovation. Building on insights from the literature
findings and practical examples from the packaging, textiles, automotive, energy materials, electronics, construction, and fragrance sectors, good
practices were identified and structured across corporate, managerial, and operational levels. This study provides an up-to-date overview of the
SSbD landscape and illustrates its implementation through good practices and value chain case examples. It demonstrates how SSbD can drive the
development of safer and more sustainable chemicals, materials, products, and processes, contributing to several Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), especially SDG3 ‘Good Health and Wellbeing’, SDG12 ′Responsible Consumption and Production’, and SDG6 ‘Clean Water and Sanitation’.
As SSbD methodologies and tools continue to evolve, particularly for early-stage innovation, the approach is set to accelerate the transition toward
sustainable, competitive, and resilient global markets in line with the European Union's goal for industrial competitiveness.
APEL Christina;
KÜMMERER Klaus;
MENDOZA Gemma;
CERRILLO Cristina;
ORMAZABAL Guillermo;
COLIN Catherine;
WALTER Lutz;
NAM Andrea;
DENISENKO Rita;
MEEUS Marcel;
PETROVYKH Dmitri Y.;
BATEL Annika;
GARMENDIA AGUIRRE Irantzu;
SOETEMAN-HERNANDEZ6 Lya G.;
2026-05-12
ELSEVIER
JRC146443
2352-5541 (online),
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352554126000471,
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC146443,
10.1016/j.scp.2026.102355 (online),
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