Free of Charge Chemistry Tool Empowers Non-Chemists

ChemSec has launched a much-improved version of SINimilarity in order to empower non-chemists who previously had to rely solely on the information provided by their chemical suppliers. SINimilarity is a free of charge web-based tool that can identify if a substance has structural similarity to a known hazardous chemical, which in turn is an indication of similar hazardous properties. SINimilarity serves as a first screening tool when investigating the safety of a replacement chemical in a substitution process.

– Let's assume you are a brand owner aiming to substitute a hazardous substance in your product and you ask your chemical supplier for a safe alternative. Previously, you had no possibility whatsoever to know if that alternative is actually better or worse compared to the substance you want to get rid of, unless you pay a chemical consultant to find out, which in turn could be very costly. With SINimilarity, you have a free of charge possibility to act on your own, says Jerker Ligthart, ChemSec Senior Chemicals Advisor.

How it works
SINimilarity compares a substance with chemicals on the SIN List, a globally used database with chemicals that have been identified by ChemSec as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) based on the criteria established by the European Union chemicals regulation REACH. The number of chemicals that can be investigated by name, CAS number, EC number or structure is now extended from 80 000 chemicals to almost 500 000 chemicals, which increases the possibility to find the specific chemical you are interested in. For the advanced user, there is also the possibility to search by entering the molecular structure. This is done by using the so-called SMILES code of the chemical, which is a way of illustrating chemical structure as a line of letters.

– We believe that SINimilarity will become an important source of information in processes of design, innovation, substitution and procurement. While most available tools relating chemical structure to hazardous properties requires much expertise from the user, SINimilarity can be used by anyone from purchasers to chemical engineers, says Jerker Ligthart.

The SIN List also updated
Along SINimilarity, the SIN List has had an update as well. Chemicals that have recently been identified as fulfilling the Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) criteria through official identification and classification have been added. Substances previously classified as CMRs that have recently been fully registered, illustrating a consumer relevant use of the chemical, have also been added as well as substances recently classified as CMR substances. In total 14 substances.