The Environmental sustainability information pack has been updated
Published 11 August 2025
The British Pharmacopoeia (BP) Secretariat is pleased to announce the release of an updated Environmental Sustainability Information Pack, furthering our commitment to encourage and support more sustainable practices within the pharmaceutical industry. This revised pack builds upon our initial efforts, offering an enriched collection of key resources, actionable insights, and illustrative case studies. It is designed to assist laboratories in identifying and implementing changes to their practices and quality control testing methods, thereby reducing their environmental footprint.
Highlights from the Environmental sustainability information pack
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Chapter 1: Introduction
This section contains the rationale for the pack’s creation, reasons to act on sustainability, disclaimers, and other additional information regarding the pack itself. -
Chapter 2: Laboratory facilities and management
This section delves into practical measures for managing laboratory facilities more sustainably. -
Chapter 3: Testing methods and solvents
This section offers specific information regarding quality control testing methods and the selection and use of solvents. -
Chapter 4: Monitoring and measuring ‘greenness’
This section summarises key resources and current initiatives for measuring the environmental impact of both laboratories and testing methods.
What’s New: Case Studies Showcasing Real-World Impact
The updated edition features 8 new case studies that illustrate how laboratories are implementing innovative and practical sustainability measures.
One new case study explores the replacement of ageing laboratory chillers with modular units using lower-impact refrigerants, resulting in improved energy efficiency and reduced emissions. Another highlights how scaling chromatographic methods has led to significant reductions in solvent use and analysis time.
Further examples include the successful recirculation of solvents in isocratic assays, the adoption of nitrogen as a sustainable alternative to helium in gas chromatography, and the transition to greener carrier gases such as hydrogen and nitrogen—each demonstrating measurable environmental benefits.
The pack also includes case studies which showcase the use of ethanol in place of acetonitrile in HPLC methods, the replacement of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) with biodegradable alternatives in mobile phases, and the optimisation of chiral purity analysis using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). These examples reflect a growing emphasis on method redesign and solvent substitution to reduce environmental impact without compromising analytical performance.
This comprehensive information pack is the result of a collaborative effort, drawing valuable suggestions and real-world examples from a multitude of reputable sources and dedicated BP users. We extend our sincere gratitude to all individuals and organisations who have contributed their expertise and supported the evolution of this vital resource.
The environmental sustainability information pack remains free to download and will support users to make sustainability changes whilst maintaining the quality of medicines produced and compliance with the BP.
We encourage all stakeholders to share their feedback, contributions, and case studies for future iterations of this document by emailing BPsustainability@mhra.gov.uk. Your active participation is invaluable as we collectively strive for a more sustainable future.
To register and download your copy of the updated environmental sustainability information pack, please visit our Environmental hub space.