At the site of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, close to Lago Maggiore, the 3rd edition of the SSbD boot camp concentrated on the updates of the revised SSbD framework published earlier this year. In particular, this included a presentation of the new structure of the framework, the introduced “Scoping Analysis” and the more detailed assessment of the socio-economic sustainability. Talks from experts and JRC members on the different dimensions and aspects of the revised SSbD framework gave a diverse intellectual input. Special emphasis was also given to the evaluation and documentation of the assessments, and an overview and current status of the PARC toolbox.

This was complemented by three Hands-on exercises: on Scoping Analysis, Safety Assessment (Addressing chemicals, materials, processes and products) and Environmental Sustainability Assessment. In small groups the participants worked together in interdisciplinary teams to solve tasks of SSbD practitioners. In intense discussions the challenges and chances of implementing the SSbD assessments in practice came to light and gave fascinating new insights into the framework, also supporting the work of ongoing SSbD projects like PLANETS.