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Pollution is the largest source of premature death in the developing world, causing approximately three times more deaths than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined (2018 Report of the Lancet Commission on pollution and health). It disproportionately affects persons, groups and peoples in vulnerable situations reflecting both historical and ongoing discrimination, racism, and power imbalances that have given rise to powerful social movements for environmental justice. Those responsible for the harmful impacts of hazardous substances must be held legally accountable for

Medicinal products are physiologically highly active substances that enter the water and soil, particularly through human and animal excretion. They are being detected in the environment to a greater and greater extent, often in concentrations that are not harmless to humans and other living organisms. The consumption of pharmaceuticals is increasing, mainly due to the aging of the population. Consequently, measures to reduce environmental pollution are therefore necessary.

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

An Independent Evaluation of SAICM over the 2006 to 2015 period (SAICM/IP3/INF/3) was conducted to assess the degree by which SAICM has delivered on its 2020 goal. It finds that SAICM made significant progress in a number of areas in terms of strengthening capacity, commitment, technical knowledge and political will to implement and mainstream chemicals into national planning. However, the evaluation also reconfirms the findings of the Global Chemicals Outlook II, that SAICM’s objectives and 2020 goal would not be

“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

Lead has toxic effects on almost all body systems and is especially harmful for children and pregnant women. Lead paint is an avoidable source of exposure to lead. “Lead paint” or “lead-based paint” is paint to which one or more lead compounds have been intentionally added by the manufacturer to obtain specific characteristics. One important way to prevent exposure is for countries to establish legally binding regulatory measures prohibiting the addition of lead to paint.This policy brief summarizes key information

This document has been developed for officials in government who have a role in regulating lead paint, to provide them with concise technical information on the rationale and steps required to phase out lead paint. “Lead paint” or “lead-based paint” is paint to which one or more lead compounds have been intentionally added by the manufacturer to obtain specific characteristics. This document explains the health and economic importance of preventing lead exposure by establishing legally binding controls to stop the

Plastics are used across the economy and in diverse downstream sectors such as packaging, construction, transportation, healthcare, textiles, and electronics. Durable products, ranging from construction materials to medical devices make up nearly half of the global plastics market, while packaging products are the largest uses of single-use plastics. Some plastics contain chemicals that are considered to be harmful for health and the environment. Phthalates, poly-fluorinated chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA), brominated flame retardants and antimony trioxide are considered most harmful for