A4
The Association for the Advancement of Alternatives Assessment (A4) is a professional society aimed at enhancing the science of alternatives assessment, advancing informed substitution of harmful chemicals and supporting a vibrant, effective community of practitioners.
Alternatives assessment is the “process for identifying and comparing potential chemical and non-chemical alternatives that could replace chemicals of concern on the basis of their hazards, performance, and economic viability.” The goal of alternatives assessment is to support informed substitution, the considered transition from chemicals of higher concern to chemicals, materials, and processes of lower concern. The goal of Informed substitution is to “minimize the likelihood of unintended consequences, which can result from a precautionary shift away from a hazardous chemical without fully understanding the profile of potential alternatives, and to enable a course of action based on the best information that is available or can be estimated.”