Global EHS spending expected to rise in 2018, survey shows

London – Worldwide environmental, health and safety professionals budgets will increase about 5.4 percent in 2018 – with investment in technology driving much of the expected increase – according to the results of a recent survey of EHS directors.

Independent research and advisory firm Verdantix surveyed 382 EHS directors representing 31 countries and 25 industries. Results show that 21 percent of EHS leaders will increase spending by double-digit percentages, 26 percent will increase by single digits and 48 percent will follow the same budget set in 2017.

Other highlights:

• 42 percent of EHS directors will increase technology spending.
• 35 percent will prioritize spending on worker safety.
• 29 percent will boost spending on EHS consulting.
• 20 percent plan to boost investment in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Safety and incident management are the leading categories for EHS software spending plans.
• Smart personal protective equipment, as well as audit and incident management mobile apps, are the leading emerging technologies of interest in 2018.

“Against a positive economic backdrop, almost half of the corporate world is planning to increase investment in their safety, health and environment initiatives,” Isabel Velasco, a Verdantix analyst, said in a Nov. 8 press release.