Communities of Practice (CoPs) are voluntary networks consisting of individuals with expertise and interest in a thematic area who may learn how to do better in that area by interacting regularly and exchanging their knowledge and experiences. 

Check below info on our four communities, discussing Highly Hazardous Pesticides, Lead in Paint, Chemicals in Products, and Chemicals and SDGs.

The four SAICM Communities of Practice were established along with the University of Cape Town (UCT) on Emerging Chemical Policy Issues to provide a space for interactive discussions and exchanges of best practices on the sound management of chemicals and waste among SAICM stakeholders.

The purpose of the SAICM Communities of Practice is to establish an effective global network of experts on Emerging Policy Issues (EPIs) with a space for information sharing and long-term engagement.

Members include representatives from academia, governments, industry, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, consumers, and citizens.

Highly Hazardous Pesticides Community of Practice

Pesticides are inherently hazardous, and among them, a relatively small number of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) cause disproportionate harm to the environment and human health including severe environmental hazards, high acute and chronic toxicity.

The goal of the HHPs CoP (learn more about HHPs here) is to foster online discussions and multisectoral engagement that will identify key issues related to HHPs and exchange best practices on how to address this Emerging Policy Issue. 

Outcomes of these discussions may also contribute to the deliberations under the SAICM’s  intersessional process (IP4) and the fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5).

Upcoming sessions:

• 15 September 2021: Alternatives in Phasing Out HHPs: Industry innovations and the Substitution process
• 20 October 2021: Discussion of the UNEP alternatives document
• 17 November 2021: UNEP 2021 Pesticide and fertilizer report: Key Outcomes Applicable for HHPs

Download the Summary Digests from past discussions:

• The Role of Alternatives in Phasing out HHPs | More info
• Implementation mechanisms of the Global Action Plan on HHPs Part 1 - The targets of global action plan on HHPs and role of stakeholders in the implementation mechanism | More info
• Overview of the HHP Global Action Plan and way forward | More info
• Examples and case studies on strategies for identifying HHPs from different perspectives | More info
• Perspectives on addressing HHPs in the SAICM context | More info
• Mapping the global landscape of HHPs work | More info

Join this community

Lead in Paint Community of Practice

Lead can be present at high levels in paint, especially in the over 100 countries that still allow the manufacture, import and sale of paints containing lead. Lead is a cumulative toxic element particularly harmful to young children and pregnant women. 

The purpose of the Lead in Paint CoP (learn more about Lead in Paint here) is to support all practitioners working to eliminate lead paint such as the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (Lead Paint Alliance). The community of practice will help share knowledge, latest research and developments, learn what representatives from different sectors are doing to phase out lead in paint and provide access to expertise on various topics related to lead in paint.

Upcoming Sessions:

• 14 September 2021: Making the case: raising awareness about importance of lead paint laws
• 8 December 2021: Is there lead in my paint?  All about testing and labs

Download the Summary Digests from past discussions:

• Reformulation is entirely possible (English) / (Français) / (Español) | More info
• Where are there laws? A global and regional overview (English) / (Français) | More info
• Compliance and enforcement mechanisms in a lead paint law | More info
• Awareness raising materials for lead in paint elimination | More info
• Setting low limits for lead in paint – legal side | More info
• Steps toward adoption of national lead paint laws | More info

Join this community   

Chemicals in Products Community of Practice

Chemicals are important components in many of the products modern society uses and relies on. However, Chemicals of Concern may be  released at any stage of the product life cycle resulting in potential exposures of humans and the environment, including from both newly produced products and products already present in society. 

The purpose of the community of practice is to bring representatives from different sectors together and to create a learning network around issues related to Chemicals in Products (learn more about Chemicals in Products here).

Participants will discuss on topics that might include information in the supply chain on chemical presence and composition, circular economy, life cycle analysis, innovation.

Upcoming Sessions:

• 11 November 2021: TBD

Download the Summary Digests from past discussions:

• Chemicals in toys (English) / (Français) | More info
• Chemicals of concern in building materials | More info
• Industry initiative and information sharing on chemicals in products in the supply chain | More info
• Management on classes of chemicals and flame retardants in the textiles sector | More info
• Enforcement of products | More info
• Mapping session of Chemicals in Products Globally | More info

Join this community

Chemicals and SDGs Community of Practice

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs were adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in September 2015. The SDGs aim to meet the dual challenge of overcoming poverty and protecting the planet. They highlight a comprehensive vision of sustainable development  that  embraces  economic, social and environmental  dimension.

The goal of this community of practice is to facilitate discussions with various stakeholders from different sectors on documents and other knowledge materials being developed around the linkages between chemical management and the achievement of the sustainable development goals, including gender (learn more about SDGs here).

Another key goal is how to bring in and engage with the youth in relation to chemicals and the sustainable development goals. 

Upcoming Sessions:

• 22 September 2021: Climate change, chemicals, pollution and SDGs – science policy interface
• 26 October 2021: Innovation for achieving the Chemical related SDGs

Download the Summary Digests from past discussions:

• Promoting youth engagement with different stakeholders in chemicals and waste (English) / (Français) | More info
• Chemicals and Biodiversity | More info
• Accelerating the implementation of SDG 12.4 | More info
• Brainstorming implementation of gender mainstreaming into national policies for the sound management of chemicals and waste | More info
• Gender and sound management of chemicals and waste: Gender and the SAICM Emerging Policy Issues | More info

Join this community

Structure and Participation

The communities of practice will be organized under the following structure:

1. Online discussion on a live chat session around three questions which are submitted in advance to the registered participants

2. One moderator and one facilitator that will be present and active during the online live chat session to help guide and fuel the discussion. A transcript of the discussion and a summary digest are distributed amongst the participants shortly after the discussion

As for participation, membership is open to all interested parties.  Members roles include:

• Active participation in the online discussions
• Sharing experiences and knowledge on the topics being discussed
• Engage with others in a collegial manner that is respectful especially of divergent opinions

Why should you join ?

As a member of a CoP, you will:

• Participate in online discussions with representatives from all relevant sectors, and if you wish, have the possibility to lead on a relevant discussion.
• Have first-hand access to up-to-date information produced by SAICM and other stakeholders on the SAICM emerging policy issues and other issues of concern.
• Actively contribute to peer-to-peer learning exchanges on best practices, case studies and experiences on chemicals management.
• Contribute to the development of new initiatives towards SAICM objectives and the SDGs.
• Receive summaries of discussions held

Join at: https://saicmknowledge.org/community

Select I want to participate in a community of practice option (if you want to be included in the SAICM database of people working for a healthier environment, you may click on the second option and complete the form).  

Then choose the CoP you would like to join as the option when asked which community of practice you want to join.

If you have any question or require any clarification on this initiative, please contact the SAICM Secretariat at knowledgehub.saicm@un.org