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Africa Identifies Chemicals and Waste Management Priorities Beyond 2020
While Africa imports chemicals and is often used as a “dumping ground” for older electronic and electrical products and hazardous chemicals, the continent lacks the capacity to manage related challenges. The meeting sought to ensure Africa is well prepared for IP4. Read More
E-learning

Ecosystem Restoration 2022

In this Massive Open Online Course, you will learn to develop a step-by-step ecosystem restoration plan and apply effective restoration... Read More
Article

Asia-Pacific Reviews Progress on Chemicals Management Beyond 2020
Noting concerns regarding inclusiveness of the virtual process, ICCM5 President Anita Breyer, Germany, said the basis for IP4 discussion will be IP3 outcomes with VWG outcomes constituting valuable input. A discussion on capacity building addressed mechanisms and actions regarding capacity building across sectors to support the Beyond 2020 programme of work. Participants highlighted linkages between the new science-policy panel on chemicals and waste management and the Beyond 2020 process. Read More
Article

Science-policy Panel on Chemicals Can Draw on Lessons from BRS Conventions
In 2022, the UN Environment Assembly adopted a resolution deciding to establish an independent intergovernmental panel that would provide policy-relevant, but not policy-prescriptive, advice to support international agencies and instruments, countries, and the private sector in their work to promote the sound management of chemicals and waste and address pollution. As it develops a science-policy panel, the global community can draw on lessons and examples from the BRS Conventions, which are “structured to ensure that science plays a significant role in policymaking”. Read More
Article

No Need to Reinvent the Wheel – Just the Tire
Approximately one-fourth of microplastics in the world’s oceans stems from tires. In May 2021, the EU introduced new labelling requirements for tires, however, these do not include indicators on abrasion of tire wear particles/tire and road wear particles. The EU needs to apply preventive measures to reduce tire wear particles/tire and road wear particles and minimize possible risks. Read More
Article

EU Regional Meeting Reviews Progress on Chemicals Management Beyond 2020
The regional meetings discussed the outcomes of the four Virtual Working Groups that were established to maintain momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic and convened between October 2020 and February 2021. Anita Breyer, ICCM5 President, noted that while the VWGs made significant progress, they were not inclusive enough for some and, therefore, the IP3 agreed text might have to be used as the basis of some discussions. The EU-JUSSCANNZUK regional meeting provided the opportunity for countries to exchange information and knowledge, and provide updates on progress towards SAICM objectives in the region. Read More
Article

OECD Offers Best Practice on Chemicals Data Disclosure, Protecting IPRs
The amount of data generated by industry and used by governments to assess the safety of new and existing chemicals has been steadily increasing. Sometimes governments find themselves caught between protecting the rights of data owners and protecting the public’s right to know about the decisions governments are taking on their behalf. The guide applies to the ways governments provide access to and/or protect proprietary rights associated with non-clinical health, safety, and environmental data. Read More
Infographic

Leflet: UNEP Manuals on Green and Sustainable Chemistry

A leaflet providing a summary of UNEP's work on Green and Sustainable Chemistry
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Factsheets and brochures

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

The factsheet entitled "The potential key role of SAICM Focal Points in reducing harm from Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs)" was produced by... Read More
Community of practice summary of discussions

Capacity building – tools that are used
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 Capacity building – tools that are used, which took place on 6 July 2022. Read More
Community of practice summary of discussions

Transitioning to paints without added lead: guidance and experience in reformulation

The Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) have established a Read More
Article

UNGA Takes a “Moment for Nature”
The day-long event assessed recent decisions taken at global environmental fora, and highlighted the need to address the gap between commitments and implementation. The discussions will be captured in the UNGA President’s summary that will inform: future action and policies by the General Assembly and implementation bodies at the international, regional, and local levels; relevant policies and actions by Member States and stakeholders; and engagement of Member States at other high-level meetings and processes. Read More
Article

Montreal Protocol Concludes Multilateral Fund Replenishment Talks
Although the OEWG meeting yielded no draft decisions for consideration and adoption by the MOP, many welcomed the return to in-person meetings where issues are advanced “not only in the meeting room, but also in the corridors and outside the meeting venue”. The energy efficiency contact group discussed African countries’ concerns that introduction of tighter efficiency standards in developed countries “is already resulting in the transport of unwanted appliances to their shores”. Read More
Article

OECD Launches Online Toolbox for Chemical Substitution and Alternatives
The tools and data sources portal compiles information on online resources and software for undertaking assessments of chemical substitutions or alternatives. The chemical substitution tables detail frameworks and guides, toolkits, and product rating systems developed by various organizations in response to regulations of chemical substances and stakeholder interest to ensure alternatives evaluations are done in a consistent manner. The case studies of substitution and methodology describe alternatives assessments conducted by manufacturers, academic institutions, NGOs or government bodies. Read More
Factsheets and brochures

Addressing Chemicals of Concern in Electrical and Electronic Equipment - Options for Action for Policymakers

The global production and consumption of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) is growing rapidly and EEE has become indispensable in modern... Read More
Report

State of Sustainability Research – Chemicals of Concern

The State of Sustainability Research for Chemicals of Concern identifies the impacts of chemicals of concern within and for the manufacturing of... Read More
Community of practice summary of discussions

Traceability tools across supply chains
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 Traceability tools across supply chains, which took place on 12 May 2022. Read More
Report

Towards a Circular Economy for the Electronics Sector in Africa: Overview, Actions and Recommendations

This report provides an overview of the current state of circularity in the electronics value chain in Africa, identifies key areas of concern,... Read More
Report

Pharmaceutical Residues in Freshwater: Hazards and Policy Responses

Pharmaceutical Residues in Freshwater:
... Read More
Report

Management of Pharmaceutical Household Waste

Management of Pharmaceutical Household Waste:
... Read More
Factsheets and brochures

Summary of SAICM and IOMC side-event: How could an integrated chemicals and waste management approach build a strengthened SAICM beyond 2020?

A side event took place on 14 June 2022, in the margins of the Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BC... Read More
Article

Global Outlook Details Scenarios to Decrease Plastic Pollution by 2060
Under current policies, by 2060, plastics use could almost triple globally, driven by economic and population growth, with the largest increases expected in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The report emphasizes that all countries must implement policies to curb plastics demand, increase product lifespans through repair and reuse, and improve waste management and recyclability. The ‘Global Ambition’ policy package could reduce plastics use and waste by more than 30% and almost eliminate plastic leakage by 2060. Read More
Article

GEF Council Approves USD 165.8 Million Work Program
The Work Program for the GEF Trust Fund comprises 18 projects and one program from all five focal area envelopes – biodiversity loss, chemicals and waste, climate change, international waters, and land degradation. The LDCF work program comprises eight projects, of which four address “urgent and immediate climate change adaptation priorities in at least four LDCs”. The Council also endorsed the next four-year replenishment period for the GEF whose funding level of USD 5.33 billion represents a 30% increase from GEF-7. Read More
Report

Report of the 2020 International Lead poisoning Prevention Week

The eighth International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) was held on 25–31 October 2020, with more than 90 events in 60 countries... Read More
Article

BRS COPs Subject E-waste to PIC, Ban Chemicals Harmful to Firefighters
The three Conventions took seven joint decisions, including on strengthening efforts to combat illegal trafficking and trade of hazardous chemicals and wastes. Parties to the Stockholm Convention were unable to advance work on establishing a compliance mechanism, with several developing countries emphasizing the need for funding for implementation as a precondition to any future agreements to establish such a mechanism. Consensus on e-waste amendments reached by parties to the Basel Convention is significant, given e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, with only 17% recycled or recovered in 2019. Read More