Chemicals in Products:

Chemicals in products was identified as an emerging issue for the second meeting of the International Conference on Chemical Management, May 2009. Harmful chemicals in products like children's toys, textiles, jewellery, electronics, furniture etc have become a global problem through international trade. Access to information and community right to know is fundamental to sound management of chemicals and the safe use of products.

Chemicals in Products:

The increasing presence of toxic chemicals in products pose risks to human health and environment during use and when they are recycled or become wastes. Harmful chemicals in products have become a global problem through international trade. Examples include children's toys, textiles, jewellery, electronics, furniture etc. Vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women are at particular risk from exposure to a variety of substances contained in products. Access to information is fundamental to sound management of chemicals, yet there is no global system for providing information on chemicals in products to consumers and others. Instead, awareness about lead in jewellery, phthalates in toys, etc. develops after a problem has already occurred. The recently adopted use and recycling exemptions to the listing of new POPs chemicals under the Stockholm Convention, in particular, Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) OctaBDE, PentaBDE highlights an urgent need for adequate labelling of toxic chemicals in products

In February 2009, an informal international workshop on "Stakeholders' Information Needs on Chemicals in Articles/Products" was held in Geneva. The participants including 63 Governments, and representatives from intergovernmental organizations, secretariats of multilateral environmental agreements, the business community including relevant industry sectors, academia and research institutes, and non-governmental organizations developed several consensus conclusions including the following:

• current efforts and capacities to provide information about chemicals in articles/products and alternatives are not sufficient for informed decision making to protect human health and the environment throughout the life-cycle of articles/products
• for effective and efficient information generation and accessibility, cooperative action is needed at all levels (international, regional, sub-regional, national and intersectoral) with the involvement of all relevant sectors
• international cooperation on this issue is essential and urgent action is needed to ensure global harmonization of information flow and access, avoid the creation of a patchwork of information systems and maximize the benefits to all stakeholders
• improved information flow stimulates development of new articles/products and processes through innovation, reduces business risks and has economic benefits
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  International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM2) Resolution on Chemicals in Products

  The meeting proposed formation of a working group in the SAICM process by the Second International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM2) with a mandate to review existing information and develop a proposal for an information system or framework of systems and/or actions. This included identifying and prioritizing product groups and hazardous chemicals; identifying information needs of different stakeholders; and develop a proposal for an information system or framework of systems and actions. The overall purpose of this initiative was to "facilitate informed decision making with regard to chemicals in products."

  At ICCM2, the chemical industry and one government argued that it was premature to deal with the problem of information about chemicals in products and that the matter needed to be better defined. Instead of a working group, ICCM2 limited work on the matter to a single workshop with the intention of taking up the matter in 2012 at ICCM3.

  Unfortunately, the original proposal was weakened to reviewing available information about systems that already exist to determine if they are useful.

  The chemicals in products project will:
  

• Collect and review existing information on information systems on chemicals in products
• Assess the information in relation to needs of stakeholders
• Develop recommendations for actions to promote SAICM with regard to information, incorporating "identified priorities and access and delivery mechanisms"
• Avoid duplication of GHS
• Establish a steering group to advise UNEP on development of the project
• Encourages supporting the project by compiling case examples, approaches, and tools
• Invite UNEP to prepare documents and facilitate a workshop
• Invite UNEP to report on the project at the intersessional meeting and at ICCM3
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  Community Right to Know - Information exchange on toxic chemicals and chemical risks.

  The need for access to information on toxic chemicals was recognised at the 1992 Earth Summit (Rio Principle 10.) Agenda 21also acknowledged that it is in the public interest for the community to be informed, to exercise their right to understand, to make informed choices and to participate in informed decision-making. Chapter 19 "Environmentally Sound Management of Toxic Chemicals" focused on the generation, harmonisation and dissemination of chemical data, and strengthening capacity for chemical management. It also contained specific reference to the right of communities to chemical information and the obligations on industry and governments to generate and provide that information. In 2000, the Intergovernmental Forum Chemical Safety confirmed the essential role of stakeholders with the 'Bahia Declaration on Chemical Safety'. It acknowledged that an informed public is vital for effective chemical management', and also recognised the 'community's right to participate meaningfully in decisions about chemical safety.'

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

    Version: September 2009