J 2025

Complementing global chemicals management through shaping consumer behavior

SHARMA, Brij Mohan; Jane MUNCKE; Justin M. BOUCHER; Lisa ZIMMERMANN; Thomas A. BRUNNER et. al.

Basic information

Original name

Complementing global chemicals management through shaping consumer behavior

Authors

SHARMA, Brij Mohan; Jane MUNCKE; Justin M. BOUCHER; Lisa ZIMMERMANN; Thomas A. BRUNNER; Poonam ARORA and Martin SCHERINGER

Edition

iSCIENCE, CAMBRIDGE, CELL PRESS, 2025, 2589-0042

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Article in a journal

Country of publisher

United States of America

Confidentiality degree

is not subject to a state or trade secret

References:

Organization

Přírodovědecká fakulta – Repository – Repository

UT WoS

001511115400001

EID Scopus

2-s2.0-105007646528

Keywords in English

PRODUCTS; INDUSTRY; FOOD; COMANAGEMENT; CONSUMPTION; CIGARETTES; POLLUTION; SCIENCE; SYSTEM; POLICY

Links

EH22_010/0003229, research and development project. LM2023069, research and development project. 857560, interní kód Repo.
Changed: 19/7/2025 00:49, RNDr. Daniel Jakubík

Abstract

V originále

The rapid expansion of the global chemical industry, fueled by consumerism and economic growth, has created severe environmental and public health challenges. The current chemicals management approach primarily regulates the "production system", setting standards and imposing large responsibilities on the chemical industry. However, this approach has been found inadequate as it often neglects the vital role of the "consumption system" in driving chemical production and use, and pollution caused by chemicals. To address this imbalance, we propose a systematic integration of behavior-shaping tools into the global and local chemical management strategies, aimed at shifting consumer behavior toward safer and more sustainable chemical consumption. By applying ethical marketing and social- and behavioral-science techniques, consumers, including risk-sensitive groups such as women of childbearing age and children, can be nudged and empowered to make and adopt safer and mindful chemical choices, ultimately reducing their exposure to toxic chemicals. This consumer-oriented approach complements traditional "industry-focused" chemical regulations. Such an integrated approach (with management roles spanning across different stakeholders) is particularly required in regions with outdated or weak regulatory enforcement. Furthermore, fostering consumer demand for safer and more sustainable chemicals consumption will incentivize chemical industry innovations and encourage the market to move toward safer alternatives. Ultimately, a comprehensive integrated approach that focuses on both production and consumption systems could better strengthen global chemicals management, leading to improved environmental and public health outcomes and advancing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

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