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Chemical Entities of Biological Interest

Chemical Entities of Biological Interest, also known as ChEBI is a chemical database and ontology of ... Read More
Database

Special programme projects database

The Special Programme has successfully processed three rounds of applications since its inception in 2015. The Programme is currently funding... Read More
Article

Household Plastic Products Disrupt Endocrine System, Threaten Human Health
Many of the plastics used every day are exposing us to a “harmful cocktail” of EDCs. Plastic production is projected to increase by 30-36% over the next six years, which will exacerbate EDC exposure and increase endocrine disease rates. Biodegradable plastics, often promoted as more ecological than conventional plastics, contain similar chemical additives and have endocrine-disrupting effects. Read More
Article

Virgin Plastic Production Must be Addressed in Pollution Treaty: Expert Brief
Among the global agreements to address plastic waste are targets under the 2030 Agenda, which have lent momentum but do not clearly or effectively discourage virgin plastic production. Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal took the first major legally binding action to control plastic waste. A UNEA expert group is expected to to present the results of its two-year discussion during UNEA-5, with the possible result of initiating an intergovernmental negotiating process toward a treaty on plastic pollution. Read More
Community of practice summary of discussions

Management on classes of chemicals and flame retardants in the textiles sector
The SAICM Secretariat, in partnership with the University of Cape Town, established a community of practice on Chemicals in Products to bring representatives from different sectors together and to create a learning network around issues related to addressing Chemicals in Products (CiP). This is a summary of the discussion on Management on classes of chemicals and flame retardants in the textiles sector, which took place on 10 December 2020. Read More
Community of practice summary of discussions

Enforcement of products
The SAICM Secretariat, in partnership with the University of Cape Town, established a community of practice on Chemicals in Products to bring representatives from different sectors together and to create a learning network around issues related to addressing Chemicals in Products (CiP). This is a summary of the discussion on Enforcement of products, which took place on 26 November 2020. Read More
Community of practice summary of discussions

Accelerating the implementation of SDG 12.4
The Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) have launched a Community of Practice (CoP) on Chemicals and SDGs to bring representatives from different sectors together and to create a learning network around issues related to addressing Chemicals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is a summary of the discussion on Accelerating the implementation of SDG 12.4, which took place on 25 November 2020. Read More
Community of practice summary of discussions

Compliance and enforcement mechanisms in a lead paint law

The Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) are launching a new Community of... Read More
Article

Asia-Pacific Chemical Industry Discusses Updates to Strategic Framework
The Chemical Dialogue held a virtual meeting to discuss updating the APEC Chemical Dialogue Strategic Framework 2020-2023. The chemical industry plays a critical role in producing supplies to fight COVID-19, including masks, other personal protective equipment (PPE), and hand sanitizer. In the Asia Pacific region, the chemical industry represents more than 45% of global chemical manufacturing and over 69% of global jobs in the industry. Read More
Article

GEF Council Approves Work Program, Endorses Private Sector Engagement Strategy
GEF CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodríguez called on the Council to: place green recovery strategies to respond to COVID-19 at the heart of the GEF’s new Work Program; set robust targets for the GEF-8 replenishment; and support the effectiveness of national-level programmes, including through the sharing of best practices. During the 29th meeting of the Least Developed Countries Fund and Special Climate Change Fund Council, Council Members approved a USD 64 million LDCF Work Program, comprising nine projects, including three multi-trust fund projects that combine resources with the GEF. Read More
Article

Virtual Working Groups Advancing Beyond 2020 Chemicals Framework
Four Virtual Working Groups will address: targets, indicators and milestones; governance and mechanisms to support implementation; issues of concern; and financial considerations. ICCM5 Chair Gertrud Sahler emphasized the need for sound chemicals and waste management to achieve SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the intersessional period is enable IP4 to finalize recommendations for decision-making at ICCM in July 2021. Read More
Article

Online Toolbox Supports National Chemicals Management
The Toolbox identifies available resources to help countries find solutions to chemicals management issues. The Toolbox provides management schemes for eight issues, as well as six toolkits, and hundreds of tools. Read More
Article

Chemicals and Waste Declaration Discussions Focus on Structure, Key Elements
The group supported exploring the best ways to raise the political profile of chemicals and waste management, including whether to reference the UN General Assembly in the HLD. The informal group is expected to develop an HLD draft for negotiations at the IP4 and ICCM5.While the COVID-19 pandemic might threaten to draw attention and resources away from chemicals work in the short term, chemicals have been crucial in responding to the pandemic, observed the ICCM5 President. Read More
Policy document

Revised Guidance Document 150 on Standardised Test Guidelines for Evaluating Chemicals for Endocrine Disruption

The OECD releases the Read More
Factsheets and brochures

OECD Work on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

The Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD) is a multi‑disciplinary inter governmental organisation, tracing its roots... Read More
Policy document

Pharmaceuticals in the environment

Medicinal products are physiologically highly active substances that enter the water and soil, particularly through human and animal excretion.... Read More
Report

Plastics Pose a Threat to Human Health

Plastics Pose a Threat to Human Health:
... Read More
Video

From Waste to Wealth: Harnessing the Circular Economy

Nigeria is kickstarting a circular economy for electronics, creating safe employment for over 100,000 people. What is your country doing to... Read More
Report

Women, Chemicals and the SDGs
The aim of this report is to show the impact chemicals have on women as a vulnerable group highly exposed to hazardous chemicals and gender inequalities related to decision-making around the management of chemicals and waste. The report also means to provide concrete steps that can be taken to safeguard the health of women and empower women in decision-making and in their roles as agents of change. The overall objective is to provide evidence to all stakeholders working towards sustainable development of the importance of addressing this issue for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Read More
Article

Declaration Drafting Group Collects Input on Chemicals and Waste Management Beyond 2020
An informal drafting group discussed potential elements for inclusion in a high-level declaration on the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020. The possible declaration would be adopted at the fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), currently scheduled to convene in Bonn, Germany, from 5-9 July 2021. Read More
Article

Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund to Continue Operations in 2021-2023
Governments reached several agreements to allow the continued functioning of the Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol, becoming the first UNEP-serviced body to hold a virtual meeting that took multiple legally binding decisions. The agenda included: the replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for the triennium 2021-2023; methyl bromide critical-use exemptions for 2021 and 2022; financial reports and budgets; and membership of the various Protocol bodies and assessment panels. Read More
Article

UN Special Rapporteur Emphasizes Right to Science in Managing Toxics
The UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights was established 25 years ago because of growing concern regarding hazardous waste generated in Europe being dumped in Africa. The briefing presented assessment reports on issues of concern and on strengthening the science-policy interface for chemicals and waste management. Read More
Article

UNEP Compares Options for Science-Policy Interface on Chemicals and Waste
UNEA-4 underscored the need to strengthen the SPI at all levels to support and promote science-based local, national, regional, and global action on the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020. The report outlines three possible options for strengthening the SPI at the international level: an independent platform, similar to the IPCC and IPBES models; institutionalizing the Global Chemicals Outlook and Global Waste Management Outlook processes; and thematic subsidiary panels. Read More
Article

UNEP Assesses Eight Issues of Concern for Chemicals and Waste Management
The report argues for integrating efforts on sound chemicals and waste management with other priorities, such as climate change, biodiversity, human rights, and labor standards. The authors suggest addressing a wider range of issues of concern, to include those that have previously received insufficient attention, rather than specific hazardous chemicals or groups of chemicals. The report is intended to support further discussions at UNEA-5 in February 2021. Read More
Factsheets and brochures

Clariant playing a leading role in supporting the coatings industry to phase out lead in paints
As one of the first companies to completely end the production, and supply, of lead-based pigments in the mid-1980’s (Hoechst AG – now Clariant), Clariant supported the Global Alliance to eliminate lead paint and, through regulatory and legal measures, accelerate progress towards its global phase out. Read More