IFCS
Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety
28 February 2002
Vol.2 No.2 rev1
Information Circular
Table of Contents:
 A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT
 THREE PESTICIDES AND ASBESTOS TARGETED FOR ACTION
 CONSULTATION ON PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO CHEMICAL INCIDENT
 POISONS INFORMATION CENTRES IN THE CARIBBEAN
 FAO CODE OF CONDUCT ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF PESTICIDES - UPDATE
 STRENGTHENING NATIONAL CAPACITIES FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND MONITORING
FOR THE SOUND MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICALS
A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT
UNEP GOVERNING COUNCIL, SEVENTH SPECIAL SESSION/GLOBAL MINISTERIAL ENVIRONMENT FORUM,
13-15 FEBRUARY 2002, CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
The work undertaken by UNEP in soliciting the views of the global community on the need for a
Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management has borne fruit with the adoption, by the
Governing Council, of a decision that further development of an approach is needed, at the global
level.
An Advance Copy of the decision can be read on the UNEP web site at:
http://www.unep.org/governingbodies/gc/specialsessions/gcss_vii/.
The decision recognizes the important ongoing work of the IFCS, and endorses the IFCS Bahia
Declaration and the Priorities for Action beyond 2000 as the foundation for the development of the
strategic approach. It calls for an assessment to identify gaps in on-going efforts, concrete projects
and priorities and urges all stakeholders to actively participate in the process. The UNEP Executive
Director, together with the IFCS and the IOMC Participating Organizations, is requested to convene
an open-ended consultative meeting of all stakeholders to contribute to the work. The WSSD is
invited to endorse the Governing Council's recommendations.
For further information on the topic see: http://www.chem.unep.ch/irptc/strategy/default.htm.
THREE PESTICIDES AND ASBESTOS TARGETED FOR ACTION
PIC INTERIM CHEMICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE (ICRC) MEETING
18-21 FEBRUARY 2002, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
At its meeting in February, the ICRC concluded that three widely-used pesticides (monocrotophos,
Grantox TBC/Spinox T, and DNOC) and all forms of asbestos should be targeted for inclusion in the
interim Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure. ICRC's recommendation now goes forward to the
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed
Consent (PIC) Procedure for certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade,
which meets in Bonn from 30 September to 4 October 2002. If adopted there, monocrotophos will
join the Prior Informed Consent procedure.
Like other organosphosphorus insecticides,
monocrotophos poses an acute hazard to hundreds of thousands of farm workers, particularly in
developing countries where the lack of protective clothing and mechanical equipment makes it more
likely that people will come in direct contact with chemicals.
Secretariat: c/o World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland
Tel: +41 (22) 791 3873/4333/3650; Fax: +41 (22) 791 4875; Email: ifcs@who.ch; Website: www.ifcs.ch
The recommendation to add five remaining forms of asbestos to the PIC list (one is already listed)
launches a process that will conclude in late 2003. The Committee’s review of asbestos was
triggered by bans in the EU and Chile (under the Convention a review is initiated when two countries
in two different regions ban or severely restrict a chemical; the monocrotophos review was triggered
by bans in Australia and Hungary).
The Committee has also launched the process for listing the related pesticides Granox TBC and
Spinox T, a mixture of fungicides and the highly toxic insecticide Carbofuran. This case was
initiated by Senegal (“severely hazardous pesticide formulations” require only one notifying country
to start the listing process). Suspicious of growing reports of illnesses and deaths, the government
started to map incidents of rural poisoning.
The fourth chemical, DNOC, is an insecticide, weedkiller and fungicide. It is highly toxic to humans
and also poses a high risk to other organisms. The review process was initiated by bans in Peru and
the EU. Once widely used, DNOC is being targeted for inclusion in the PIC procedure in order to
further reduce its remaining uses.
The Rotterdam Convention has been signed by 72 governments (plus the EC) and has thus far been
ratified by 18 countries; it will enter into force 90 days after the 50 th ratification. For further
information see: http://www.pic.int/.
Ref. FAO Press Release 02/19
CONSULTATION ON PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO CHEMICAL INCIDENTS
WHO, 3-5 DECEMBER 2001, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
WHO deals principally with the primary health care and public health aspects of chemical incidents,
which are usually both accidental and unforeseen. Recently though, the threat of terrorists using
conventional hazardous chemicals or chemical weapons has become a real possibility. WHO has
decided to address this threat as part of their response to chemical incidents, and this consultation
was called as part of that process.
During the course of the meeting, participants discussed, inter alia: the special problems posed by the
deliberate use of chemicals as weapons; the special problems that obtain in developing countries in
their public health response to chemical incidents; the roles of intergovernmental organizations in the
assessment and management of chemical incidents; a review of existing WHO guidance on
preparedness for, and response to, chemical incidents; and the establishment of a WHO network of
24-hour chemical incident response centres.
A major outcome of the meeting was that WHO, with its mandate for promotion of human health,
should take the lead within the UN system in dealing with health aspects of chemical incidents; and
should assist countries in developing coordinated national and international plans for preparedness
for, surveillance of, and response to, chemical incidents 1.
For further information see:
http://www.who.int/pcs/chem_incid_main.html.
POISONS INFORMATION CENTRES IN THE CARIBBEAN
WORKSHOP, 27-29 NOVEMBER 2001, PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Participants from several Caribbean countries attended this 3-day meeting, which was jointly
sponsored by PAHO/WHO, the University of the West Indies and the Government of Trinidad and
Tobago with support from IPCS and IFCS2. The first day of the workshop 'coincided' with the
1
IFCS Priority for Action D4 states: by 2002, 70 or more countries should have implemented systems aimed at preventing
major industrial accidents and for emergency preparedness and response. …
2 IFCS Priority for Action D7 states: By 2002, poison centres should have been established in 30 or more countries that do
not yet have such centres, and further strengthened in 70 or more countries where they already exist. ….
official launching of the Poisons Information Centre of Trinidad and Tobago.
Representatives from each country reported briefly on the status of poisons centres, analytical
services and clinical toxicological services in their countries. Based on this initial information, each
representative agreed to carry out further research and prepare a report by the end of April, including
a cost estimate for setting up poisons centre services within their own country. This information
could then form the basis for proposals to relevant Ministries for establishing such services in the
Caribbean region. The possibility of sharing services across the islands was explored. It was noted
that models already existed in the provision of forensic services and drug procurement, particularly
within the Eastern Caribbean States. It was agreed that there was also scope for sharing information
about products and about emerging toxic hazards.
FAO CODE OF CONDUCT ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF PESTICIDES - UPDATE
31ST SESSION, 11-13 NOVEMBER 2001, ROME, ITALY
In the September 2001 issue of this Information Circular, we brought to your attention that the
revised Code would be presented for adoption at the 31st meeting of the FAO (November 2001).
Member States supported the revised text except for certain clauses dealing with intellectual property
rights and data protection, which will require further review. The review will take place during this
year and it is hoped that the issues will be resolved such that the Code will proceed to the FAO
Council for adoption in November 2002.
In accordance with the IFCS Priorities for Action beyond 20003, IFCS participants are invited to
support and encourage their governments to play an active role in the observance of the revised Code.
Comparison texts of the 1989 and 2001 versions of the code can be found at:
http: //www.fao.org/DOCREP/MEETING/003/Y1616E/Y1616E00.HTM#P39_992.
STRENGTHENING NATIONAL CAPACITIES FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND MONITORING
UNITAR/OPCW THEMATIC WORKSHOP, 5-8 NOVEMBER 2001,THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS
This jointly organized workshop was the fifth in a series which address priority issues of national
chemicals management as identified by countries in the context of National Profile preparation and
priority setting4. Many countries have identified the issue of building capacity for chemicals analysis
and monitoring, which is a resource-intensive activity, as one of their five top priorities for the sound
management of chemicals.
A major topic of the workshop was an examination of the key issues involved in establishing and
implementing chemical analysis and monitoring facilities for multiple purposes, of integrating
capacities into an overall national plan, and ensuring the cooperation of all concerned parties. The
workshop also considered synergies and potential links among relevant international and bi-lateral
support activities.
The meeting's output resulted in both general and specific recommendations. The general
recommendations fell into four broad areas: technical, legal and policy, administrative, and
financial/human resources. The specific recommendations covered: chemical emergencies and
surveillance, and environmental monitoring including EIA and LCA requirements. To help countries
move forward, UNITAR/OPCW is developing a draft national reporting format for a survey of
analytical laboratory facilities for use by countries. For further information on the meeting see:
http://www.unitar.org/cwm/homepage/c/tw/ws5/index.htm.
3
IFCS Priority for Action D6 states: Following adoption of the revised Code, IFCS should (a) support and encourage
governments to play an active role in its observance; …
4 the reports of the earlier workshops can be found at: http://www.unitar.org/cwm/homepage/c/tw/index.htm