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Policy document

Eliminating Lead Paint: The Role of the Paint Industry

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October 2020

The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a global policy framework which aims to protect human health and the environment from the unsound management of chemicals and waste. Since its inception in 2006, the voluntary and multisectoral and multistakeholder nature of SAICM has been viewed as one of its core strengths. SAICM provided a space for government and non-government actors alike to discuss and deliberate on the management of chemicals and waste.A key obstacle that has been limiting

Emerging Policy Issues: Lead in paint

E-learning

Massive Open Online Course on Marine Litter

October 2020

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UN Environment Programme and Open Universiteit have created a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Marine Litter as a key activity of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (you can join the GPML). It is also part of the Clean Seas Campaign. The course starts on October 26, 2020. It is free for all students and available in 10 different languages. You can still enroll until November 15. Register here!Marine litter is a global problem that affects every ocean of

Topics: Knowledge Management

Policy document

New digital technologies to tackle trade in illegal pesticides

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OECD

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July 2020

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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

Emerging Policy Issues: Highly Hazardous Pesticides Lead in paint Chemicals in products

Topics: Knowledge Management

Policy document

Engaging the textiles industry as a key sector in SAICM: a review of PFAS as a chemical class in the textile sector

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Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

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May 2021

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The report examines the class approach for PFAS as it applies to the textile sector, which covers a wide variety of consumer products and connects two important issues covered in the SAICM context. The textile sector is an appropriate choice given the environmental significance of the sector and the scope of PFAS used within it. Both the quantity of PFAS in use and the variety of uses make this sector a priority for action. Furthermore, the nature of the sector—with

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products

Topics: Chemicals in textiles

Policy document

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

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SAICM ,

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May 2021

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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

Emerging Policy Issues: Perfluorinated Chemicals Chemicals in products

Topics: Knowledge Management

Policy document

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

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SAICM ,

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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

Topics: Knowledge Management

Policy document

Gender and the sound management of chemicals and waste

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SAICM ,

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September 2018

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“Gender mainstreaming” is defined as a strategy for making both men and women’s concerns and experiences an integral part of policies and programmes in all political, economic and societal spheres.In practice, gender mainstreaming supports the contribution of men and women to society equally, through policies and programmes that address their specific needs. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda aim to address inequalities among all population groups, especially women, children, and the impoverished. Directly addressing the links between

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products

Topics: Gender mainstreaming

Policy document

Gender and the sound management of chemicals and waste: Prepared for the SAICM intersessional process beyond 2020

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SAICM ,

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March 2018

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A request was made at the first intersessional meeting for information on the relationship between women and chemical safety as it relates to emerging policy issues and issues of concern, covering in particular the period beyond 2020. The Bureau agreed at its May 2017 meeting for the secretariat to prepare a paper, for the second intersessional meeting, that reviews the broader concept of gender and the sound management of chemicals and waste, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Topics: Gender mainstreaming Knowledge Management

Policy document

Understanding chemicals in products: SAICM Policy Brief

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SAICM , UNEP

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November 2019

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The transparency of information about chemicals in global supply chains has been an emerging policy issue for the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) since 2009, leading to programmes such as the UNEP Chemicals in Products (CiP) Programme. The CiP programme focuses specifically on the textiles, toys, electronics and building materials sectors.Information exchange in the value chain is key in identifying and addressing any chemicals of concern1 in products. Brands and retailers frequently lack crucial knowledge about the properties

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products

Topics: Chemicals in building products Chemicals in toys

Policy document

Addressing Industry Involvement in the Funding of Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste

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International Institute for Sustainable Development

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August 2022

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This Policy Brief outlines the history behind the SAICM agenda, puts in context the issue of financing the sound management of chemicals and waste, and highlights the main findings and proposals from the SAICM study.

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Hazardous chemicals in electronics Highly Hazardous Pesticides Lead in paint Nanotechnology Perfluorinated Chemicals Pharmaceutical pollutants