SAICM Chemicals in Products Project ICCM 2

SAICM Chemicals in Products Project ICCM 2 – May, 2009 Resolution to implement a project on Chemicals in Products By Olga Speranskaya, IPEN Co. Chair

UNEP is leading the Ci. P The Conference agreed: collect and review existing information on information systems pertaining to chemicals in products including but not limited to regulations, standards and industry practices; assess that information in relation to the needs of all relevant stakeholders and identify gaps; develop specific recommendations for actions to promote implementation of the SAICM with regard to such information, incorporating identified priorities and access and delivery mechanisms

Ci. P goal to define what information stakeholders need to enable them to contribute their part of the life-cycle management of chemicals in products and articles and thus to minimize risks. recommendations should provide a path forward beyond ICCM 3 suggest milestones for the cooperative actions.

Ci. P Steering Group Ms. Petra Ekblom, Swedish Chemicals Agency Mathias Kouassi (alternate for Astrid Télasco), Canada Prof. Babajide I. Alo, University of Lagos, Nigeria Magnus Bengtsson, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies; Japan Ms. Irina Zastenskaya, Republican Scientific-Practical Centre of Hygiene, Belarus; Ms. Carolyn Vickers, IOMC (Inter-Organization Program for the Sound Management of Chemicals) representative; Ms. Veronica Monti, International Society of Doctors for the Environment, Argentina; Michael Y. Gribble, Industry sector representative; Ms. Olga Speranskaya, Public interest sector representative; Agneta Sundén Byléhn and Kevin Munn, UNEP Chemicals Branch

Survey of SAICM Focal Points on the Need for Information on Chemicals in Products Ci. P information systems in use or under development and the current state-of-the-art, including needs and gaps, in exchanging Ci. P information; the Ci. P information needs of various stakeholders at different points in the lifecycle of a product; priorities for Ci. P information on specific product groups or sectors. 73 individuals were - contributors, as well as 60 distinct government agencies, NGOs and international organizations.

Product/Sector Priorities Children’s products including toys Food containers and food packaging Computers, cellular phones and other electronic goods Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

Type of Information Needed Manufacturer name and contact information Identification of chemicals in products information for suppliers; Precautions, information on safe use and storage of products What to do in case of accident/exposure/injury; Information and on how to safely dispose of products/type of waste; Safe waste handling information; Recycling, remanufacturing and reuse information.

Chemicals in products-case studies: building products; electronics; toys; textiles Toys DEKRA Industrial Gmb. H http: //www. dekra. com Electronics Chemsec www. chemsec. org Building products University of Tennessee – Knoxville http: //isse. utk. edu/ccp/ Textiles United Nations Environment Programme Chemicals Branch,

INFORMATION NEEDS OF THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS Product design Production Packaging Distribution Product use Recycling and Disposal

ISSUES PROPOSED FOR CONSIDERATION DURING ELABORATION OF THE CASE STUDIES TOYS Plastic, paint and wood • Recycled plastics containing pollutants • Producers (brand-owners) are lead-actors in the supply chains • Supply chain structure different cases o Brand owners who control their supply chains o Companies that buy toys in fairs etc • Producer-retailer interface likely to be crucial • Consumers have limited interest in having detailed info – labels, issued by credible actor • Plastics grades: technical/analytical. Toys grade • Consider potential benefits to industry (partnerships), as well as benefits to other involved stakeholders • Look to existing reporting systems (RAPEX) – consider as well the impact such information availability has had on the development of the legislative basis

ISSUES PROPOSED FOR CONSIDERATION DURING ELABORATION OF THE CASE STUDIES CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS: Plastic and paints • Indoor exposure (buildings where we spend most of our time) • Demolition exposure – info management for longlived products • Schools and kindergartens, vulnerable groups • New constructions • Testing routines for new “alternative “ Materials

ISSUES PROPOSED FOR CONSIDERATION DURING ELABORATION OF THE CASE STUDIES Textile: Toxics and allergens • Exposure in retail, use, washing (environmental pollution of chemicals contained in the fibres), and burning of waste • Information challenge similar to toys • Pesticide residues and additives • Testing for new material and additives including nanomaterials

ISSUES PROPOSED FOR CONSIDERATION DURING ELABORATION OF THE CASE STUDIES Electronics (the life-cycles of personal computers and mobile phones): End-of life treatment • Inclusion of recycled materials (plastics as a raw material) • Look to existing efforts

Chemicals in products-time schedule October - background research and the surveys or questionnaires that will be used for the data-gathering from the stakeholders November – face-to-face interviews 15 November - advance drafts of four case studies By 1 December - Draft final reports of the case studies are to be ready. 9 -10 December - The results of the case studies are to be considered at a Cross-sectoral Experts Meeting