"The best way to solve problems arising from dangerous chemical substances is to replace them with less damaging substances. This procedure is called substitution. Substitution is a way to combine environmental improvements with advanced technologies, by which it is often possible to turn environmental issues into a competitive advantage. In Denmark, substitution procedures have been carried out successfully several times.
When is a substance dangerous to the environment and to human health? Often it is dif.cult to determine how a certain substance is transported or exactly how damaging the substance is to humans and to the environment. But, if the substance in itself is harmful, we will need good reasons to continue using it.
This publication presents experiences concerning substitutions gathered by selected Danish companies. We portray the various environmental issues the companies have helped solve, the substances involved and their environmental and health impacts will be outlined in facts boxes. The publication also tells the personal stories about the professional challenges and obstacles that the people involved have met during the processes. And it tells about the resources and incitements, which have been the motivating factors. Moreover, issues of image and market position in relation to the substitutions are discussed. Finally, the current Danish and EU legislations on chemicals are presented together with the new proposed reform: REACH, in which substitutions play a part."

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