Screening sustainability assessment of innovative bio-based solutions for art restoration within the EC SSbD framework

Implementing the EC Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework from the early design phase of innovative solutions remains challenging. Although various methods to evaluate safety and sustainability exist, their integration throughout the innovation process, especially during the early stages at low Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), is often hindered by time constraints, limited resources, the need for multidisciplinary expertise, and uncertainty in data availability and quality. This study presents the Screening Sustainability Assessment (SSA), a screening-level method developed to support early-stage innovation by integrating functionality, safety, and sustainability aspects in product design. The SSA combines semi-quantitative scoring with targeted SSbD-oriented questions, enabling structured assessment across all life cycle stages. Each aspect is evaluated through specific criteria and questions, scored on a five-level scale, fostering informed stakeholder dialogue and supporting the early integration of SSbD objectives. The SSA was applied to assess two innovative bio-based protective coatings against a fossil-based benchmark. These products are intended for the preventive and remedial conservation of cultural heritage surfaces, a sector where traditional materials often present limitations in terms of durability, and sustainability performance. The application of the SSA method to the case study demonstrates its effectiveness in identifying SSbD performance and critical areas for improvement throughout the product life cycle. Although designed for the cultural heritage sector, the methodology is transferable to other fields facing similar challenges. It contributes to the broader goal of operationalizing the SSbD framework by offering a tool for embedding safety and sustainability considerations into innovation processes from the outset.