Legal precedents for the Substitution Principle

The acceptance of the Substitution Principle as a workable legal act was demonstrated in a European Court of Justice (ECJ) court case in 2000. Trichloroethylene (TRI), a cancer-causing chemical, was banned in Sweden and companies had to find alternatives. Exemptions were only given when a suitable alternative was not available, when use did not lead to unacceptable exposure and on the condition that the company continued to seek alternatives. Forthe majority of exemptions, the firms had managed to substitute TRI in most of their production, but had not found a suitable alternative for a specific use in the production process. One firm appealed against the ban, but the European Court of Justice ruled against them. The ECJ ruling demonstrates acceptance of the Substitution Principle in EU courts. 

5 Case Study Alternatives to Dry cleaning with Perchloroethyelene 

The solvent perchloroethylene (PERC) is used by approximately 90% of all EU dry cleaners today.  

Other alternatives exist though these are associated with risks such as flammability and potential toxicity. 

It is likely that greater uptake of alternative technologies to dry-cleaning with PERC has been hindered by a combination of factors including - 

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