ICCM2 – May, 2009Resolution to implement a project on Chemicals in

ProductsBy Olga Speranskaya, IPEN CoChair

UNEP is leading the CiPThe 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

CiP goalto 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 ICCM3

suggest milestones for the cooperative actions.

CiP Steering GroupMs. Petra Ekblom, Swedish Chemicals Agency Mathias Kouassi (alternate for Astrid Télasco), CanadaProf. Babajide I. Alo, University of Lagos, Nigeria Magnus Bengtsson, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies; JapanMs. 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

CiP information systems in use or under development and the current state-of-the-art, including needs and gaps, in exchanging CiP information;

the CiP information needs of various stakeholders at different points in the lifecycle of a product;

priorities for CiP 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 toysFood containers and food packagingComputers, cellular phones and other

electronic goodsCosmetics and Personal Care Products

Type of Information NeededManufacturer name and contact informationIdentification of chemicals in productsinformation for suppliers; Precautions, information on safe use and storage of

productsWhat 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

ToysDEKRA Industrial GmbHhttp://www.dekra.comElectronicsChemsecwww.chemsec.orgBuilding productsUniversity of Tennessee – Knoxvillehttp://isse.utk.edu/ccp/TextilesUnited Nations Environment Programme Chemicals Branch,

INFORMATION NEEDS OF THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERSProduct designProductionPackagingDistributionProduct useRecycling and Disposal

ISSUES PROPOSED FOR CONSIDERATION DURINGELABORATION OF THE CASE STUDIESTOYS 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 DURINGELABORATION OF THE CASE STUDIESCONSTRUCTION MATERIALS:Plastic and paints• Indoor exposure (buildings where we spend

most of our time)• Demolition exposure – info management for

long-lived products• Schools and kindergartens, vulnerable groups• New constructions• Testing routines for new “alternative “

Materials

ISSUES PROPOSED FOR CONSIDERATION DURINGELABORATION OF THE CASE STUDIESTextile: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 DURINGELABORATION OF THE CASE STUDIESElectronics (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 scheduleOctober - background research and the surveys or

questionnaires that will be used for the data-gathering from the stakeholders

November – face-to-face interviews15 November - advance drafts of four case studiesBy 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