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Report

Commitment platforms and the global agenda for chemicals and waste management

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April 2021

Problem statementOne of functions of the of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is to call for appropriate action on emerging policy issues as they arise and to forge consensus on priorities for cooperative action as identified in the paragraph 24 of the Overarching Policy Strategy (OPS). In 2015, the Fourth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM-4) initiated the development of the framework for sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 that is envisaged to be adopted

Topics: Sustainable Development Goals Knowledge Management

Report

Chemicals of Concern in the Building and Construction Sector

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UNEP

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May 2021

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This UNEP report aims at providing an overview of the challenge that chemicals of concern pose in the context of products relevant for the building and construction sector. It outlines the relevance and linkages of chemicals of concern with regards to a building life cycle and highlights existing gaps, challenges and opportunities regarding the imperative of increasing circularity in the building and construction sector.

Emerging Policy Issues: Chemicals in products

Topics: Chemicals in building products

Policy document

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

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Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

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May 2021

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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

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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

Report

Tackling informalityin e-waste management: The potential of cooperative enterprises

December 2014

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The present paper is the product of a joint effort by the Sectoral Activities Depart-ment and the Cooperatives Unit of the International Labour Organization (ILO).This initiative supports the ILO’s commitment to promote forms of employment that safeguard the environment, eradicate poverty and promote social justice through sustainable enterprises and decent work, as reinforced by the International Labour Con-ference (ILC), at its 102nd session in June 2013. Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) is currently the fastest growing waste stream, and it

Emerging Policy Issues: Hazardous chemicals in electronics

Topics: E-waste Chemicals in electronics

Report

The global impact of e-waste: Addressing the challenge

December 2012

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Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) is currently the largest growing waste stream. It is hazardous, complex and expensive to treat in an environmentally sound manner, and there is a general lack of legislation or enforcement surrounding it.Today, most e-waste is being discarded in the general waste stream. Of the e-waste in developed countries that is sent for recycling, 80 per cent ends up being shipped (often illegally) to developing countries to be recycled by hundreds of thou-sands of informal workers

Emerging Policy Issues: Hazardous chemicals in electronics

Topics: E-waste Chemicals in electronics

Policy document

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

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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

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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

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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

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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