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Policy document

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

by

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

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May 2021

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

by

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

Factsheets and brochures

Gender mainstreaming in chemicals and waste policies

by

HEJSupport International

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August 2020

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New Fact Sheet: Gender mainstreaming in chemicals and waste policiesGender equality is a core human rights and development issue, as highlighted in several international and regional human rights instruments, including those that are part of multilateral environmental agreements. Law-binding and voluntary agreements on chemicals and waste are no exception and play an essential role in increasing the participation of women and men in the management of chemicals and waste, while contributing to gender equality.The fact sheet includes examples of texts

Topics: Gender mainstreaming

Factsheets and brochures

Agroecology – a viable option to phase out highly hazardous pesticides in Ethiopia

June 2020

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Agriculture in Ethiopia is the foundation of the country's economy. In an effort to increase production and productivity, the agriculture sector puts the use of inputs like pesticides and fertilizers as driving forces.The use of agricultural inputs, including pesticides, was introduced to smallholder farmers from the 1960s through agricultural extension systems. Since then, pesticide use by smallholder farmers showed a steady growth. This increasing trend in the use of pesticides as part of a development plan poses threats to human

Emerging Policy Issues: Highly Hazardous Pesticides

Policy document

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

Factsheets and brochures

Initiating Circularity for electronic waste in Nigeria: A promising paradigm for treating e-waste globally

January 2023

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Over half a million tonnes of discarded electronic appliances are improperly processed in Nigeria every year, threatening the country's environment and the health of approximately 100,000 informal workers in the recycling industry.
With support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Government of Nigeria has joined forces with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partners to turn the tide on e-waste under the “Circular Economy Approaches for the Electronics Sector in Nigeria” project. Led by UNEP and supported by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency of Nigeria (NESREA), the $15-million initiative brought together players from the Government, the private sector, and civil society to design and operationalise a financially self-sustaining circular economy (CE) for electronics in Nigeria.
The project aims to stimulate a CE pilot through an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme that serves as a model for countries facing similar challenges. EPR is an integrated waste management approach that extends the responsibility of manufacturers to the entire lifecycle of their product, particularly to the end-of-life treatment. By applying this approach, the producers will be obliged to commission for collecting, pre-treating and recycling their originated e-waste.
The project creates synergies among pre-existing elements of an EPR system in Nigeria to establish a sustainable management system and financing mechanism for EPR implementation. Establishing and enforcing a sustainable approach in Nigeria with supporting regulations and legally binding requirements is expected to recover and re-introduce usable materials into the value chain, dispose of hazardous e-waste streams in an environmentally sound manner, and create safe employment for Nigerian e-waste workers.

Emerging Policy Issues: Hazardous chemicals in electronics

Topics: Chemicals in electronics E-waste Circularity

Country: Nigeria

Policy document

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

by

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