PLANETS at key EU events on SSbD in Brussels (19-20.03.2026)

In March 2026, the PLANETS project actively contributed to two major European events dedicated to advancing the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework, both held in Brussels.

The project participated in the 6th EC SSbD Stakeholder Event: ‘Safe and Sustainable by Design: Accelerating the Industrial Transition’ on 19 March 2026, followed by the SSbD Horizon Europe Projects Networking Event on 20 March 2026. Together, these events brought around 60 participants from a broad range of stakeholder groups, including EU institutions, industry, innovators, and representatives from research and policy communities.

The discussions highlighted the critical role of collaboration between research projects, industry, and policymakers in maximising the impact of SSbD approaches. Taking place shortly after the adoption of the revised SSbD framework, the events highlighted the European Union’s strong commitment to fostering the development of chemicals and materials that are safe and sustainable by design, addressing potential risks early in the innovation process.

PLANETS was represented by Simon Clavaguera, Denilson Da Silva Perez (CEA, as deputies of Stéphanie Steck), Catherine Colin (IPC), Martin Himly (PLUS), and Andreas Falk (BNN, and also in his role as part of the NSC coordination team). During the networking event, Denilson delivered an oral presentation showcasing the PLANETS project, as part of a cluster of projects (including the RES-24 sister projects RADAR and AlChemiSSt) focused on substituting hazardous substances with safer alternatives, one of the key objectives of the EU chemicals policy framework, while representatives from PARC pointed out the PLANETS project’s leading role in educating the field in SSbD.

The participation in both events provided valuable opportunities to strengthen connections with other Horizon Europe projects (more than 30 SSbD-related HE projects attended the event) and key stakeholders. In particular, the networking event fostered discussions on future collaboration and contributed to building a stronger, better connected SSbD ecosystem across Europe.

PLANETS remains committed to supporting the implementation of the SSbD framework and to contributing to a safer and more sustainable chemicals and materials landscape, in particular through its strong involvement with industry.