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The Secretariat of the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) have established a Community of Practice (CoP) on Highly Hazardous Pesticides to bring representatives from different sectors together and to create a learning network around issues related to addressing Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs). This is a compilation of summaries of the discussions, which took place in 2022.

The SAICM Secretariat, in partnership with the University of Cape Town, established a Community of Practice (CoP) 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 compilation of summaries of the discussions, which took place in 2022.

The SAICM Secretariat, in partnership with the University of Cape Town, established a community of practice on Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) to foster discussions, exchange of best practices, and recommendations to address HHPs amongst relevant stakeholders. This is a summary of the discussion on Rights-based approach to Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) management, which took place on 30 November 2022.

Presenters: Baskut Tuncak (TURI), Peter Hurst, Laurent Gaberell (Public Eye)

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.

In January 2019, the California Building Standards Commission unanimously approved changes to the state building codes proposed by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal. The changes allow use of polystyrene insulation without flame retardants below a concrete slab-on-grade. These changes would maintain fire safety while improving human and environmental health.  This fact sheet details the key considerations for implementation of a policy on allowing flame retardant-free insulation within a building code, and the associated health and technical considerations.

Chemicals production and consumption is set to double by 2030, from a $5 trillion industry globally in 2017, with production set to increase, mainly in emerging economies. If chemicals production is doubled, chemical pollution must not double as a consequence – rather we should aim to significantly reduce it from current levels.

Current international attempts at the massive undertaking of addressing chemical pollution are not working. For the world to solve the major environmental and health challenges we face, there must be a sustainable chemicals revolution. We can only achieve this through senior-level engagement with the chemical sciences community through an authoritative, intergovernmental science-policy interface.

The Royal Society of Chemistry engaged with scientists in their community to develop the vision for a chemicals strategy, relevant to any nation in principle.  Four pillars were identified on which any chemicals strategy has to be based: education, innovation, circular economy and regulation. National governments must invest in these areas and create a responsible framework of action for chemicals management.

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.

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.