Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) are the most harmful chemicals for people and the environment. Organizations must keep expertise sharp to stay ahead of evolving risks.
Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) are the most damaging chemicals for people and the environment. They can easily end up in our living environment through countless processes. That is why companies in many countries, including the Netherlands, are obliged to keep emissions to an absolute minimum. Even so, many professionals still encounter SVHCs in their daily work, exposing them to health risks and potential incidents. A recent NRC article about Schiphol Airport (opens in new tab) underscores how urgent this challenge is. Raising and sustaining knowledge about these substances is therefore critical. That is precisely the issue: how do you keep teams continuously up to date and aware of the risks that come with SVHCs? This article explains why the traditional approach falls short.
Today it is A, tomorrow it is B
It is estimated that there are around 350,000 different chemicals worldwide, of which the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has classified roughly 1,500 as SVHCs. For many other chemicals we still do not know whether they will eventually fall into that category. New substances are developed every year as well. It is a rapidly evolving field, and legislation and regulation keep changing accordingly. Yet the impact of SVHC regulation on society can be enormous. Think of the PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) debate that flared up once the substances turned out to be more harmful than previously assumed. Even with such rapid developments, you need to be able to respond quickly, based on reliable information and solid expertise.
Technical expertise and situational awareness
A recent report (opens in new tab) by the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG), the Interprovincial Consultation (IPO), and the Dutch Environmental Services (Omgevingsdienst NL) concludes that technical know-how about SVHCs is lacking most. How are SVHCs used in production chains? What are the consequences when they spread in the environment? What obligations exist around notifications and permits? This knowledge is indispensable to evaluate permit applications from companies that work with these substances. Field personnel—such as environmental enforcement officers—also need it when they come across suspicious situations and must determine whether chemicals have been discharged. At the same time, they require context awareness: what type of company is applying for a permit, or in what environment is chemical waste being discovered, and what does that imply?
People do not remember everything
Because the SVHC landscape and accompanying legislation change so rapidly, maintaining knowledge and awareness is challenging. By the time graduates start working in an environmental or legal role, their knowledge about SVHC policy is already dated. They may understand administrative processes, yet their factual insight into hazardous substances fades quickly. Many organizations still rely on traditional classroom or online courses to refresh knowledge. E-learning is often the default. That is exactly where things go wrong. These trainings usually take place once, and knowledge levels inevitably dip afterwards. People simply do not retain everything. When dealing with SVHCs, however, you want to be certain that critical insights are embedded and stay top of mind.
Preventing a knowledge dip
To keep knowledge levels consistently high, organizations need a form of permanent education. That requires a learning platform that uses smart algorithms, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics to assess and monitor the proficiency of every employee. Such a platform makes it visible which topics remain challenging so you can act on them and reinforce skills where needed. This process has to be continuous, otherwise people will inevitably experience a knowledge dip. Learning content must also be updated continuously. New SVHCs are identified, and regulations and protocols for handling them are constantly refined as new insights, policies, and rules emerge.
Paving new paths
The most important thing for professionals working with SVHCs is that they develop the understanding and awareness to recognise situations and draw the right conclusions about hazardous substances. Our brains only open up to new knowledge once we understand the context. That does not happen through a one-off training and test. On the contrary: it requires continuous reinforcement and updates. After all, SVHCs concern our health, our environment, and our future. Maintaining a high level of expertise is non-negotiable, and it forces organisations to explore new ways of training the professionals who make a difference for their communities.
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