Abstract: The number of newly synthesized chemicals is continuously increasing, and many of these are now affecting ecosystems as well as human health. The overall objective of chemical risk assessments and management is to assess and contain the risks associated with the introduction of these chemicals. Evidence shows, however, that chemical assessments fail to live up to this objective. Assessments are currently a purely technical and science-based activity, which explicitly leave out an evaluation of how chemicals contribute to, or impede, long-term societal and environmental well-being. To address these shortcomings the paper explores if and how chemical assessments can evaluate risks against substantial values that go beyond pure technocratic evidences. The paper specifically highlights principles of de-growth as values that can orient and organize chemical risk assessments.