Regulation of chemicals
Encyclopedia
The regulation of chemicals is the legislative intent of a variety of national laws or international initiatives such as agreements, strategies or conventions. These international initiatives define the policy of further regulations to be implemented locally as well as exposure or emission limits. Often, regulatory agencies oversee the enforcement of these laws.
(SAICM) - . This initiative was adopted at the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM), which took place from 4–6 February 2006 in Dubai gathering Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. It defines a policy framework to foster the sound worldwide management of chemicals.
This initiative covers risk assessments of chemicals and harmonized labeling up to tackling obsolete and stockpiled products. Are included provisions for national centres aimed at helping in the developing world, train staff in chemical safety as well as dealing with spills and accidents. SAICM is a voluntary agreement.
A second International Conference on Chemicals Management -ICCM2- held in May 2009 in Geneva took place in order to enhance synergies and cost effectiveness and to promote SAICM’s multi-sectorial nature.
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)[]
The “Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals” (GHS) proposes harmonised hazard communication elements, including labels and safety data sheets. It was adopted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in 2002. This system aims to ensure a better protection of human health and the environment during the handling of chemicals, including their transport and use. The classification of chemicals is done based on their hazard. This harmonisation will facilitate trade when implemented entirely.
Stockholm Convention http://www.unido.org/index.php?id=5279-
The Stockholm Convention
is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants(POPs). It entered into force, on 17 May 2004, and over 150 countries signed the Convention. In May 2009, nine new chemicals are proposed for listing which then contained 12 substances.
Rotterdam Convention -
The objectives of the Rotterdam Convention
are:
• to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm;
• to contribute to the environmentally sound use of those hazardous chemicals, by facilitating information exchange about their characteristics, by providing for a national decision-making process on their import and export and by disseminating these decisions to Parties.
The text of the Convention was adopted on 10 September 1998 by a Conference in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The Convention entered into force on 24 February 2004. The Convention creates legally binding obligations for the implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.
Basel Convention
The Basel Convention
on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal is a global environmental agreement on hazardous and other wastes. It came into force in 1992. The Convention has 172 Parties and aims to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects resulting from the generation, management, transboundary movements and disposal of hazardous and other wastes.
Montreal Protocal,
The Montreal Protocol
was a globally coordinated regulatory action that sought to regulate ozone depleting chemicals. 191 countries have ratified the treaty.
New Regulatory Risk Management Actions
Development of Chemical Action Plans, which will target the risk management efforts on chemicals of concern
Requiring Information Needed to Understand Chemical Risks
Increasing Public Access to Information About Chemicals
Engaging Stakeholders in Prioritizing Chemicals for Future Risk Management Action.
Chemicals are regulated under various laws including the Toxic Substances Control Act
. In 2010, Congress was considering a new law entitled the Safe Chemicals Act.
EU: Chemicals in Europe are managed by the REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) and the CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) regulations. Specific regulations exist for specific families of products such as Fertilisers, Detergents, Explosives, Pyrotechnic Articles, Drug Precursors.
International initiatives
Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management(SAICM) - . This initiative was adopted at the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM), which took place from 4–6 February 2006 in Dubai gathering Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. It defines a policy framework to foster the sound worldwide management of chemicals.
This initiative covers risk assessments of chemicals and harmonized labeling up to tackling obsolete and stockpiled products. Are included provisions for national centres aimed at helping in the developing world, train staff in chemical safety as well as dealing with spills and accidents. SAICM is a voluntary agreement.
A second International Conference on Chemicals Management -ICCM2- held in May 2009 in Geneva took place in order to enhance synergies and cost effectiveness and to promote SAICM’s multi-sectorial nature.
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)[]
The “Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals” (GHS) proposes harmonised hazard communication elements, including labels and safety data sheets. It was adopted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in 2002. This system aims to ensure a better protection of human health and the environment during the handling of chemicals, including their transport and use. The classification of chemicals is done based on their hazard. This harmonisation will facilitate trade when implemented entirely.
Stockholm Convention http://www.unido.org/index.php?id=5279-
The Stockholm Convention
Stockholm Convention
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is an international environmental treaty, signed in 2001 and effective from May 2004, that aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants .- History :...
is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants(POPs). It entered into force, on 17 May 2004, and over 150 countries signed the Convention. In May 2009, nine new chemicals are proposed for listing which then contained 12 substances.
Rotterdam Convention -
The objectives of the Rotterdam Convention
Rotterdam Convention
The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, more commonly known simply as the ', is a multilateral treaty to promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemicals...
are:
• to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm;
• to contribute to the environmentally sound use of those hazardous chemicals, by facilitating information exchange about their characteristics, by providing for a national decision-making process on their import and export and by disseminating these decisions to Parties.
The text of the Convention was adopted on 10 September 1998 by a Conference in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The Convention entered into force on 24 February 2004. The Convention creates legally binding obligations for the implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.
Basel Convention
The Basel Convention
Basel Convention
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, usually known simply as the Basel Convention, is an international treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of...
on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal is a global environmental agreement on hazardous and other wastes. It came into force in 1992. The Convention has 172 Parties and aims to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects resulting from the generation, management, transboundary movements and disposal of hazardous and other wastes.
Montreal Protocal,
The Montreal Protocol
Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion...
was a globally coordinated regulatory action that sought to regulate ozone depleting chemicals. 191 countries have ratified the treaty.
Regional regulations
USA: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the US has announced that the chemicals management laws will be strengthened. It will initiate a comprehensive approach to enhance the current chemicals management program including:New Regulatory Risk Management Actions
Development of Chemical Action Plans, which will target the risk management efforts on chemicals of concern
Requiring Information Needed to Understand Chemical Risks
Increasing Public Access to Information About Chemicals
Engaging Stakeholders in Prioritizing Chemicals for Future Risk Management Action.
Chemicals are regulated under various laws including the Toxic Substances Control Act
Toxic Substances Control Act
The Toxic Substances Control Act is a United States law, passed by the United States Congress in 1976, that regulates the introduction of new or already existing chemicals. It grandfathered most existing chemicals, in contrast to the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals ...
. In 2010, Congress was considering a new law entitled the Safe Chemicals Act.
EU: Chemicals in Europe are managed by the REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) and the CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) regulations. Specific regulations exist for specific families of products such as Fertilisers, Detergents, Explosives, Pyrotechnic Articles, Drug Precursors.
See also
- Regulation of scienceRegulation of scienceThe regulation of science refers to use of law, or other ruling, by academic or governmental bodies to allow or restrict science from performing certain practices, or researching certain scientific areas...
- Regulation of nanotechnologyRegulation of nanotechnologyBecause of the ongoing controversy on the implications of nanotechnology, there is significant debate concerning whether nanotechnology or nanotechnology-based products merit special government regulation...
- Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know ActEmergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know ActThe Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 is a United States federal law passed by the 99th United States Congress located at Title 42, Chapter 116 of the U.S. Code, concerned with emergency response preparedness....
- Material safety data sheetMaterial safety data sheetA Material Safety Data Sheet is a form with data regarding the properties of a particular substance....
- ChemophobiaChemophobiaChemophobia literally means "fear of chemicals", but the term may be used in various ways. It is most often used to describe the assumption that "chemicals" are bad and harmful, while "natural" things Chemophobia literally means "fear of chemicals", but the term may be used in various ways. It is...
- Environmental Persistent Pharmaceutical PollutantEnvironmental persistent pharmaceutical pollutantThe term Environmental Pharmaceutical Persistent Pollutant , was suggested in the nomination 2010 of pharmaceuticals and environment as an emerging issue to Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management by the International Society of Doctors for the Environment .Pharmaceuticals are...
EPPP