10 resources found

Policy document

A review of PFAS as a Chemical Class in the Textiles Sector - Policy Brief

For over a decade, under both SAICM and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the class of chemicals known as PFAS is gaining increasing international attention. Since 2009, chemicals in products have been identified as an Emerging Policy Issue and PFAS as an Issue of Concern by the SAICM. The textiles sector is currently considered in the SAICM context through the ‘Chemicals in Products Programme’, which focuses on four priority sectors: textiles, toys, building products and electronics. The
Factsheets and brochures

The Potential Key Role of SAICM Focal Points in Reducing Harm from HHPs

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August 2022
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The factsheet entitled "The potential key role of SAICM Focal Points in reducing harm from Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs)" was produced by stakeholders from the University of Cape Town, the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, the Food and Agriculture Organization and Umweltbundesamt. This factsheet was developed to ensure information about HHPs reaches all SAICM National Focal Points and other relevant stakeholders for them to make effective and informed decisions and play an active role in facilitating the reduction of
Emerging Policy Issues: Highly Hazardous Pesticides
Factsheets and brochures

Launch of E-learning Course on Industrial Chemicals Databases and Information Sharing

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April 2022
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Following a collaborative study by UNEP and the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), which provided a comprehensive inventory of the publicly available databases on industrial chemicals in commerce, SAICM coordinated the development of an e-learning course to bridge the information gap by improving accessibility to environment, health, and safety (EHS) information for industrial chemicals.In an interactive and engaging way, this course provides guidance on locating and using information on industrial chemicals in commerce and identifies some barriers to identifying

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products
Factsheets and brochures

Case studies on the implementation of the WHO Chemicals Road Map

The World Health Organization is publishing a series of national case studies on the implementation of the WHO Chemicals Road map, which was adopted in World Health Assembly Decision 70(23).The case studies were developed by different Member States, including members of the Global Chemicals and Health Network. They illustrate the role the health sector plays in the sound management of chemicals, recognizing the need for multi-sectoral cooperation at a national level.The case studies concentrate on different actions of the road
Policy document

Role of economic instruments for the sound management of chemicals and waste

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September 2020
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“The vast majority of human health costs linked to chemicals production, consumption, and disposal are not borne by chemicals producers, nor shared down the value-chain.” GCO-IThis policy brief draws from and complements: ‘Review of cost recovery mechanisms and other economic instruments for financing of the sound management of chemicals and waste’ (SAICM/IP.4/7). With the Beyond 2020 framework for chemicals and waste under deliberation, and key outcomes expected at the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) in
Policy document

New digital technologies to tackle trade in illegal pesticides

Global trade in illegal pesticides has been steadily growing in recent years, posing serious threats to agriculture, the environment, human health, and the economy. Evidence of this trend can be found in the increasing number of seizures of counterfeit, fake, and unauthorised pesticides, as well as their growing share in the global pesticide market. This paper identifies the main drivers and enablers of this illicit trade, and explores the potential of digital technologies, such as blockchain, to support policies to
Policy document

Challenges for a Sustainable Chemicals and Materials Policy: The Need for Transformation in the Global Context

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December 2019
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Over the past few years the use of natural resources and the production of chemicals have increased dramatically – and a further increase is forecast. Whereas earlier the main focus was on local effects on health and the environment, in the meantime it has become clear that current ways of dealing with natural resources, chemicals and products manufactured from chemicals are threatening the biosphere as a whole.In 2009 and 2015 scientists introduced the concept of planetary boundaries. As part of
Factsheets and brochures

SAICM Factsheet

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November 2019
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The ChallengeThe Strategic Approach To International Chemicals Management (SAICM) mandate expires in 2020, long before we will reach the target of minimizing the health and environmental impacts of chemicals throughout their lifecycle. Overall progress has been uneven and there is still a significant need for development and implementation of effective chemical and waste management policies and practices around the globe.What We DoSAICM provides a valuable multi-stakeholder forum to discuss and address the many challenges facing the adoption and implemen-tation of
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