Periodic Reporting for period 2 - IRISS (The InteRnatIonal ecosystem for accelerating the transition to Safe-and-Sustainable-by-design materials, products and processes)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-12-01 do 2025-05-31
The IRISS project has focused on connecting, synergizing and transforming the SSbD community in Europe and globally towards a life cycle thinking where there is a holistic integration of safety, climate neutrality, circularity and functionality of materials, products and processes throughout their lifecycle to meet the European Green Deal, EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, and UN SDGs. The uniqueness of IRISS has been that the consortium was built of partners that represent the top components needed to build an EU-led permanent network (i.e. policy, industry, applied science, innovation and research & education), and that is self-sustaining and international in scope.
IRISS has achieved the following objectives:
1. To develop a state-of-the-art SSbD ecosystem that is supportive for the uptake and utilization of safe-by-design (SbD) and sustainable-by-design (SusbD) strategies by industry, especially SMEs.
2. To contribute to criteria and guiding principles for SusbD development driven by the application of life cycle thinking in materials and product design and in line with ongoing work in European and international initiatives.
3. To establish a structure for a permanent, gender balanced, inclusive, international and sustainable experts network accessible for all relevant stakeholders.
4. To develop SSbD roadmaps encompassing three, agendas identifying: 1) scientific research needs, 2) skills, competences and education needs, and 3) knowledge and information sharing needs. The roadmaps will be developed in a co-creation and inclusive process for the implementation of SSbD in industry and society including prioritised steps within research, innovation, skill demands, management and governance.
5. To develop a monitoring and evaluation programme that systematically scans for state-of-the-art knowledge, information gaps and translates these into specific R&D questions and governance needs that feed into systematic roadmap updates.
The project has played a proactive role in building connections with key stakeholders, such as industry actors, policymakers, and research organisations. Productive cooperation has been established not only within European Union but also outside the EU, engaging with various initiatives, associations, and projects (including on Member state level), fostering valuable synergies and knowledge exchange. The project has also engaged in targeted outreach and promotion of project results to various external audiences: industry, regulators, policy and general public.
IRISS has achieved the following objectives:
1. To develop a state-of-the-art SSbD ecosystem that is supportive for the uptake and utilization of safe-by-design (SbD) and sustainable-by-design (SusbD) strategies by industry, especially SMEs.
2. To contribute to criteria and guiding principles for SusbD development driven by the application of life cycle thinking in materials and product design and in line with ongoing work in European and international initiatives.
3. To establish a structure for a permanent, gender balanced, inclusive, international and sustainable experts network accessible for all relevant stakeholders.
4. To develop SSbD roadmaps encompassing three, agendas identifying: 1) scientific research needs, 2) skills, competences and education needs, and 3) knowledge and information sharing needs. The roadmaps will be developed in a co-creation and inclusive process for the implementation of SSbD in industry and society including prioritised steps within research, innovation, skill demands, management and governance.
5. To develop a monitoring and evaluation programme that systematically scans for state-of-the-art knowledge, information gaps and translates these into specific R&D questions and governance needs that feed into systematic roadmap updates.
The project has played a proactive role in building connections with key stakeholders, such as industry actors, policymakers, and research organisations. Productive cooperation has been established not only within European Union but also outside the EU, engaging with various initiatives, associations, and projects (including on Member state level), fostering valuable synergies and knowledge exchange. The project has also engaged in targeted outreach and promotion of project results to various external audiences: industry, regulators, policy and general public.
Since the project’s start in June 2022, the IRISS consortium has performed many activities such as participation in conferences, seminars, and meetings, organisation of workshops, and it has engaged in in-depth discussions with legislators, researchers and various value chains on challenges and solutions for implementing Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) concept and framework.
One main achievement has been that thanks to activities performed, the stage was set for roadmaps that will pave the way for actions towards safer and more sustainable materials, processes, and products.
Another main achievement has been the involvement of seven value chains in the IRISS project: Automotive, Construction, Electronics, Energy materials, Fragrances, Packaging and Textile. A thorough analysis of the research, knowledge and skills requirements has provided key data for value chain specific roadmaps. Through case studies conducted by these value chains, IRISS has actively contributed to the European Commissions’ recommendation on the SSbD framework. This work has resulted in valuable guides for companies’ operationalisation of the SSbD concept.
Throughout the duration of the project, a special importance of supporting SMEs with integration of the SSbD concept has been recognized and training courses tailor made for SMEs have thus been developed and delivered.
A significant achievement of the IRISS project has been the establishment of a robust framework for the continuation of collaborative efforts beyond the duration of the project. The foundations for a permanent and sustainable network, IRISS SSbD Community, have been successfully laid, ensuring that the synergies and partnership built during the project will continue to deliver added value.
The project outcomes have resulted in 68 deliverables and 11 reached milestones.
One main achievement has been that thanks to activities performed, the stage was set for roadmaps that will pave the way for actions towards safer and more sustainable materials, processes, and products.
Another main achievement has been the involvement of seven value chains in the IRISS project: Automotive, Construction, Electronics, Energy materials, Fragrances, Packaging and Textile. A thorough analysis of the research, knowledge and skills requirements has provided key data for value chain specific roadmaps. Through case studies conducted by these value chains, IRISS has actively contributed to the European Commissions’ recommendation on the SSbD framework. This work has resulted in valuable guides for companies’ operationalisation of the SSbD concept.
Throughout the duration of the project, a special importance of supporting SMEs with integration of the SSbD concept has been recognized and training courses tailor made for SMEs have thus been developed and delivered.
A significant achievement of the IRISS project has been the establishment of a robust framework for the continuation of collaborative efforts beyond the duration of the project. The foundations for a permanent and sustainable network, IRISS SSbD Community, have been successfully laid, ensuring that the synergies and partnership built during the project will continue to deliver added value.
The project outcomes have resulted in 68 deliverables and 11 reached milestones.
The IRISS project aimed to go beyond current state of art within the SSbD area through conveying and improving knowledge and skills, development of both overarching and value chain specific roadmaps, facilitating exchange of best practice and therefore contributing to development of common methodology and terminology. This is especially useful for companies within relevant value chains, experts, academia and policy developers.
One of the key factors is the establishment of the permanent IRISS SSbD Community, creating useful connections between different stakeholders. The developed roadmaps will continue to assure the companies’ integration of SSbD at the forefront as well as creating regulatory feedback. The collaboration with the PARC partnership and both Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects will continue to ensure the knowledge transfer needed for the implementation of the EU SSbD framework. Through the international dissemination activities, engagement of a broader community will be maintained.
One of the key factors is the establishment of the permanent IRISS SSbD Community, creating useful connections between different stakeholders. The developed roadmaps will continue to assure the companies’ integration of SSbD at the forefront as well as creating regulatory feedback. The collaboration with the PARC partnership and both Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects will continue to ensure the knowledge transfer needed for the implementation of the EU SSbD framework. Through the international dissemination activities, engagement of a broader community will be maintained.