Symposium2026

Why attend?

The ChIR Symposium 2026 brings together students, researchers, academics, industry professionals and regulatory stakeholders to discuss how chemical innovation can move beyond compliance towards Safe and Sustainable by Design.

Explore SSbD and regulatory innovation

Discuss how Safe and Sustainable by Design is reshaping chemical innovation, risk assessment and regulatory practice beyond REACH.

Connect with the ChIR/ChIRS community

Meet students, alumni, academics, industry professionals and regulatory stakeholders working at the interface of chemistry, sustainability and regulation.

Discover applied research and solutions

Engage with student projects, expert perspectives and case studies on sustainable chemicals, materials, technologies and circular innovation.

About the symposium

A meeting point for chemical innovation, regulation and sustainability

Since 2015, the ChIR Symposium has brought together students, researchers, academic staff, industry professionals and regulatory stakeholders to discuss current challenges in chemical innovation and regulation.

The 2026 edition will take place in Barcelona under the theme “SSbD: Innovation Beyond REACH”.

The symposium will explore how Safe and Sustainable by Design can support a shift from compliance-based chemical management towards earlier, more integrated decisions on safety, sustainability and innovation.

The event is also part of the transition from ChIR to ChIRS — Chemical Innovation and Regulation for Sustainability — reflecting the programme’s strengthened focus on sustainable chemistry, regulatory science, circularity and responsible innovation.

Through presentations, discussion and student research contributions, the symposium will provide a forum for exchanging perspectives across academia, industry and policy-oriented practice.

ChIR Symposium 2026

Theme

SSbD: Innovation Beyond REACH

Focus

Chemical innovation · Regulation · Sustainability · Safe and Sustainable by Design

Community

Students · Alumni · Researchers · Industry · Regulatory stakeholders

Scope

The symposium will address scientific, regulatory and innovation perspectives relevant to safer and more sustainable chemicals, materials, processes and technologies.

EU chemical policy and regulatory innovation

Safe and Sustainable by Design

Sustainable materials and nanomaterials

Microplastics and emerging contaminants

Hydrogen production and energy conversion technologies

Circular economy and life-cycle thinking

Biotechnology and bio-based products

Computational chemistry and predictive assessment

Risk, hazard and sustainability assessment

ChIR Symposium 2026

The ChIR Symposium is organised within the ChIR - Erasmus Mundus MSc in Chemical Innovation and Regulation, which has evolved to the ChIRS - Joint MSc in Chemical Innovation and Regulation for Sustainability.

Find more about the ChIR / ChIRS project Find more

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.