64 resources found

floor-coverings_4-27-22
Manuals and toolkits

GreenNY: Specification: Floor coverings

Green public procurement specification for general construction and flooring adhesives. The goal of the specification is to set to set a hierarchy of flooring covering preferences, establish minimum environmental goals for flooring installations in state properties, and provide recommendations for additional aspects of flooring performance, cleaning and maintenance for a healthier indoor environment.

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products
GreenScreen
Manuals and toolkits

GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals

December 2022
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GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals is a method of comparative Chemical Hazard Assessment (CHA) that can be used for identifying chemicals of high concern and safer alternatives.  GreenScreen was developed by and is a project of Clean Production Action.

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products
global_minimum_transparency
Manuals and toolkits

Global Minimum Transparency Standard

December 2022
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The Global Minimum Transparency Standard (GMTS) is a tool for companies to disclose hazardous chemicals in their products throughout the whole product lifecycle.  It will help achieve equal access to information for all stakeholders, irrespective of country and within and outside the supply chains. It is a step toward stricter regulation or even a complete phase-out of hazardous chemicals leading to global human health and environmental safety.

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products
homefree
Manuals and toolkits

HomeFree: Product Guidance

December 2022
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Database containing information on chemical hazards and risks of selected groups of building products and providing guidance for making informed product selection. Resources also include drop-in specification language, manufacturer information request templates, guidance for decoding product-specific literature, case studies and online courses specific for the featured product groups.

HBN's Product Guidance uses a red-to-green ranking system to compare different types of products based on their hazardous content. It is informed by our comprehensive research into the hazards associated with building products that may impact building occupants as well as fenceline communities and workers throughout the product's life cycle.

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products
eco-i_electronics
Manuals and toolkits

Eco-innovation (Eco-i) manual – Electronics Supplement

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December 2022
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UNEP's new Eco-innovation Electronics Supplement was created to respond to the electronics sector's need for more guidance in building resilient, competitive, and sustainable business models for SMEs. Designed together with the World Resources Forum and to be read alongside UNEP's Eco-innovation (Eco-i) Manual, the supplement provides electronics specific examples, learning case studies, and advice on applying the eco-innovation methodology and its opportunities in the electronic sector.

This publication was prepared under the framework of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) full-sized project 9771: Global best practices on emerging chemical policy issues of concern under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). This project is funded by the GEF, implemented by UNEP and executed by the SAICM Secretariat.

Cover
Manuals and toolkits

Sustainable Procurement of Electronics: A Progressive Approach to Chemicals of Concern

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October 2022
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This guidance addresses the role that sustainable procurement can play in managing chemicals of concern in electronic and electrical equipment procured across the public sector, during their entire lifecycle. It is primarily addressed to public procurers as well as those responsible for the procurement of waste management solutions at end-of-life for electronics equipment.

This guidance is aimed at helping procurement practitioners implement policies on chemicals management through sustainable procurement approaches and tools such as market dialogue, criteria and ecolabels.

gender-case-studies-cover
Case studies

Women Leaders: Addressing Chemicals and Waste Issues

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IPEN ,
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June 2022
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People of all gender identities must have the same rights and opportunities to participate fully in their communities, free from the health threats posed by toxic chemicals. It is especially important to understand the factors that put women at risk from chemical health threats.

The IPEN report “Women Leaders: Addressing Chemicals and Waste Issues” highlights women’s leadership through ten organizations from around the world working to address chemical health threats. The report was developed within the framework of the United Nations Environment Program and its Global Environment Facility (GEF), under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), executed by the SAICM Secretariat. It was produced with support from the Swedish Government.

Women face greater risks from chemical exposures and experience higher rates of adverse health outcomes because of their physiology, different types of occupational exposures, and differential exposures to chemicals, including from personal care and household products. Women are also exposed to chemicals — such as endocrine disrupting chemicals, lead in paint, and chemicals in toys — that pose health threats during pregnancy and to their developing children.

These toxic exposures can lead to serious health problems that impact women’s lives and their opportunities to participate in their communities fully and equally. This is especially so for women in low-income communities who are often managing multiple pathways for toxic exposures and multiple obstacles to gender equality.

Women cannot be empowered nor gender equality achieved while exposures to hazardous chemicals put them at risk for cancer, chronic illnesses, infertility, and damage to their nervous systems.

In 2015, the United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Gender Equality” is one of the goals (Goal 5) and the SDGs also recognize that gender equality is a prerequisite for reaching most of the other goals. Reducing and eliminating chemical exposures will also be essential for achieving all of the 17 goals.

The stories that follow highlight women across the globe who are leading work in their communities, nations, and internationally for stronger protections from harmful chemicals. Supporting their work and the work of countless other women who are leading similar efforts will be critical for achieving the SDGs.

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