Abstract Incorporation of the economic aspect into the inherent safety assessment during the early design stage, especially the research and development (RD for example, the Prototype Index for Inherent Safety (PIIS), the Inherent Chemical Safety Index (ICSI), and the Cumulative Index (CI). Economic evaluation during the RD hence, helping users in determining the best chemical process route in terms of inherent safety and economic potential before going to the next process design stage. If either one of these two aspects are not in accordance with the user’s preference, modifications can still be made on the process to achieve their inherent safety and economic preferences as it is still in the R&D stage of process design.