Helsinki Chemicals Forum 2015
Concluding Remarks
First Day
Jukka Malm
European Chemicals Agency
Thinking beyond 2020 –
SAICM and the future for
global chemicals risk
management
Panel 1
WSSD 2020 Goals
• Different emphasis on successes and failures
• Agreement: 2020 goals will not be fully met
• Do we know where we are, do we have a common
yardstick?
• Supporting countries establishing frameworks for
SCM vs. concrete outcomes at global level
• Counting conventions or nr of substances vs. assessing
capacity of countries to manage hazardous chemicals?
• SAICM indicators & IOMC toolbox
3
Thinking beyond 2020 / New possibilities
• Role of OECD in sharing information & knowledge
on Risk Management (but not to harmonise action)
• Integrated approach for databases and information
on regulation;
• cross-legislation, regional/international
• Full utilisation of existing/emerging data
• Fair cost compensation where used for other regulation –
international data sharing regime
• Capacity for data management and utilisation?
• Global standard – SDS for all exported hazardous
chemicals?
4
Globally Harmonised
System on Classification
and Labelling – how can
we get there faster?
Panel 2
GHS - How can we get there faster?
• GHS designed to flexible – building block approach
• Not full harmonisation of the scope/categories, but flexibility can
facilitate implementation
• Transition from old to new systems can be laborous; transitional
periods can help
• GHS works – implementation still underway
• Gather experience before considering how to develop further
• Consider pace of changes, and think whether they facilitate impl.
• Guidance, training, capacity building, awareness raising
• Incl. communication on benefits of GHS; funding
• Facilitate co-operation
• National: inter-ministerial, multi-stakeholder stuctures
• Regional/international: sharing the burden & experiences
6
Global list – to be or not to be?
• Added value of a global list recognised
•
•
•
•
•
Promote harmonisation
Save resources, facilitate trade
May raise concerns about lowering the protection level
UNGHS pilot project followed with interest
Long & resource intensive project expected
• Countries/regions have different starting points
• EU with a long tradition and an extensive legally
binding list vs. limited/non binding lists vs. no lists
• Legal implications of C&L (may) differ in different
regions
7
Chemicals in Products:
How to Improve
Communications in the
Supply Chain
Communication in Supply Chain
• Enable down-stream users to use chemicals safely
• Via C&L, SDS (in EU incl. Exposure scenarios)
• Harmonisation of practices and tools help preparing,
communicating and understanding the information
• Supported by public dissemination; regulatory or voluntary
• Business benefits & opportunities
• ”Effective communication creates transparency, trust and
contributes to sustainable business”
• Improvements recognised by industry, further harmonisation
welcome
• Market & public pressures sometimes force companies to
move
• Awaraness of end-users of available information can be
increased
9
Chemicals in Products
• ‘ChiP’ need particular approaches
• Complexity of the supply chain; how to get, verify, update
information - B2B
• How to ensure/promote compliance? How to influence R&D, and
product design? What can be realistically expected?
• Cross-sectoral cooperation of authorities, international cooper.
• Use of chemicals databases to identify ChiP of concern
• Consumers’ right to know – Consumer confidence
• User friendliness of the information, how to help comparisons
• NGO campaigns can help raising awareness & promote
compliance
• Market pressures can have drastic effects on companies
• More proactive companies coming forward, retailers in
a powerful position
10
Thank you!
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