This course is designed to provide information on best practices and tools for assessing alternatives as part of the European Chemical Agency's goal of promoting the use of safer substitutes for chemicals of concern.

The course is an online interactive training in 5 parts. You'll find narrated presentations for each section, including an introduction that sets the context for this training. You'll also find readings, practitioner videos and related checks for understanding (knowledge checks).

Please note that the online training on analysis of alternatives was created by the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production (UMass Lowell) on ECHA’s behalf for educational purposes only, and it does not replace independent professional judgment. ECHA accepts no responsibility and/or liability for any use and/or reliance made of the information and/or learnings received from the training. A certificate of completion will be issued to parties that have successfully completed the online training. The certificate of completion merely indicates that a party has completed the online training; the online training is not recognised by any accreditation body.

Please also note that in order to complete the training, you will need to mark every assignment and handout for each session as 'completed' as well as pass the final test. Let’s say you are watching 'Session 3: Assess hazard and exposure'. There are 4 handouts and 2 readings in this particular session. You will need to move your cursor to the top of the page and then select 'Handout 1: Physicochemical properties to consider' and then click ‘Completed. Let’s continue’ in order to move to the next handout for which you will have to do the same until you have “completed” all of the 4 handouts and 2 readings for that particular session. Green ticks will appear to signify the completion of those readings/handouts. Note that no green 'completion' ticks appear alongside main presentations (e.g. "introduction") even if you watch them multiple times. However, they are still regarded as completed!

Should you have any questions while taking the training please write to us at substitution@echa.europa.eu