Substitution has priority - unfortunately not in practice

With regard to dealing with hazardous substances, a great deal has been achieved in the regulative area since the Ordinance on Hazardous Substances came into force in 1986. A clear substitution principle was devised in this ordinance  

In the meantime this substitution principle has also been applied in EU legislation. Council Directive 98/24/EC of 7 April 1998 on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work compulsorily provides for substitution as priority action  

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