Paradigm for Substance Flow Analyses PrefaceThe aim of the present paradigm for substance flow analyses is to provide a general framework for Substance Flow Analysis (SFAs) carried out for the Danish EPA. The paradigm is an updated and revised version of a previous paradigm from 1993 (Hansen & Boisen 1993). The first paradigm was developed to ensure uniformity and comparability of SFAs expected to be carried out for hazardous chemical substances under the Danish EPA´s framework programme on hazardous substances in waste. In Denmark today, SFA is taken to be a standard tool in the process of identifying important sources for release of hazardous substances to the environment and the first paradigm has been used for a range of SFAs. A comprehensive list of SFAs carried out in Denmark is included in appendix 2. Summaries of nine of these SFAs are included in appendix 5. An SFA will typically be initiated for substances, which have been identified as actual or potential hazardous to humans or the environment. The outcome of the SFA will subsequently form the fundament for considerations by the Danish EPA as regards the need and instruments for risk minimisation for the substance in question. A potential field for application of SFA, which may prove important in the future, is the function of providing input to risk assessments for chemical substances carried out according to EU regulation. The experience with the SFAs carried out until now is that there often has been a need for focusing the analyses on specific parts of the substance flow or extending the analyses to include other aspects related to the use of the substance. A main objective of the update of the paradigm has been to include such focusing end extensions into the main framework of the analyses. The report is intended to be used by the Danish EPA in the proces of calls for proposal and by both new and more experienced Danish SFA practitioners. In addition the paradigm hopefully may also serve as inspiration for authorities and practitioners out of Denmark. Steering Committee A steering committee, whose members are listed below, has been in charge of preparation of this paradigm.
Lea Frimann Hansen, Danish EPA (chair person) Acknowledgement Special thanks are offered to Ester van der Voet, Leiden University, for productive comments on the paradigm. Authors The paradigm has been prepared by Carsten Lassen and Erik Hansen, COWI Consulting Engineers and Planners AS, Denmark.
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