UNEP AG/EDC/3.3
Advisory Group for UNEP
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
Third Meeting
Geneva, 25-26 September 2015
UNEP Project document “Provision of Information on Endocrine Disrupting
Chemicals”
Note by the Secretariat
1. Within the framework of UNEP workplan and in response to the ICCM3 resolution,
UNEP developed a project document to implement specific action points in paragraph 6
of the ICCM 3 resolution.
2. The UNEP EDC project under UNEP’s Chemicals and Waste subprogramme
contributes to the organization’s expected accomplishment where countries develop
the necessary institutional capacities and policy instruments to manage chemicals in an
environmentally sound manner. The main project outcome in 2015-17 is increased and
improved intergovernmental and intersectoral understanding, coordination and
cooperation as well as awareness in developing and transition countries in addressing
EDCs.
3. The project contents were based on a “thought starter on UNEP’s work on EDCs”
which was presented and discussed at the AG meeting that took place in December
2014. Further consultation was done electronically with key governments, stakeholders
and UNEP regional focal points on chemicals and waste.
4. In August 2015, UNEP management approved the project “Provision of Information on
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)” under its Chemicals and Waste
subprogramme. However, further resource mobilization efforts needs to be done.
5. The UNEP AG on EDCs may wish to review the annexed highlights of the UNEP
approved project document and provide advice on [i] proposed activities in relation to
the expected outputs [ii] resource mobilization efforts [iii] proposed organisational
structure to assist UNEP in its work on EDCs.
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UNEP Project Document
Annex: Project 513 “Provision of Information on Endocrine Disrupting
Chemicals (EDCs)”
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UNEP Project Document
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Project Approach
i.
Project Approach
As elaborated in the previous section, various factors contribute to the core problem that “wildlife and
humans are being exposed to multiple EDCs with very limited control” (see Figure 1). After a careful
breakdown and categorisation, these causes can be narrowed down to three key fundamental issues: [i]
Publicly-accessible information of chemicals in use is scarce and scattered over the public domain
(information side). [ii] The science of EDCs is complex and not fully understood yet (i.e., science and
technical side). [iii] Levels of development in addressing EDCs differ tremendously across policymakers
in different countries and regions; there is poor international coordination of actions (i.e., policy side).
Higher-level causes can be a result of either individual or a combination of these three key fundamental
issues. For example, scarce and fragmented information of chemicals in use in the public domain solely
leads to the higher cause that limited chemicals have been identified and studied, which further results in
that no control over production, use and release of chemicals that do not have information existing at the
level of policymakers. On the contrary, developed countries using different approaches to assess and
manage risks associated with EDCs is due to two lower-level causes on both the science and policy sides.
Figure 1. Problem tree
To identify intervention pathway(s), the problem tree was converted into an objective tree (see Figure 2);
interlinked items were combined (e.g., increased numbers of chemicals in use have information at the
level of policymakers and uncertainties of available information are reduced/minimised were integrated
into one development outcome). Among the key fundamental issues, intergovernmental and intersectoral
relationships can be intervened under this project, whereas the other two (information on chemical in use
and the science of EDCs) cannot be directly intervened, but still positively influenced by this project; thus,
they are identified as drivers. Additionally, although this project cannot direct the research on EDCs,
within the project it is possible to convene a series of dialogue among scientists to identify common
grounds and critical gaps to be urgently addressed to increase relevant scientific common understanding.
Thus, two individual intervention pathways were identified for this project: [i] to increase and improve
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UNEP Project Document
intergovernmental and intersectoral understanding, coordination and cooperation with a particular focus
on developing and transition countries and [ii] to increase scientific common understanding (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Objective tree
Following the identified intervention pathways and in close consultation with relevant stakeholders
(governments, academia, civil society, IGOs and industry; via the development and public consultation of
a document “thought starter on a possible direction for UNEP’s future work on Endocrine Disrupting
Chemicals (EDCs)” via face-to-face and online meetings), key project elements and logical or
chronological links among them were identified and illustrated in a Theory of Change diagram (Figure 3).
This project aims to [i] increase and improve intergovernmental and intersectoral understanding,
coordination and cooperation as well as awareness in developing and transition countries and [ii]
increase and improve technical capacities in developing and transition countries in addressing EDCs.
Through adequate awareness and technical capacities, increasing developing and transition countries will
be able to establish their own policy frameworks to address EDCs as a development outcome. In addition,
via adequate intergovernmental and intersectoral understanding, coordination and cooperation, policy
frameworks and actions across countries to protect human health and the environment will be increasingly
consistent and coherent. Thus, the mainstreaming and internalisation of the project outcomes in countries
and sectors can lead to a desired development outcome in the medium-long term, i.e., improved,
consistent integrated policy frameworks to control EDCs worldwide. Within UNEP’s Programme of
Work, the project contributes to Expected Accomplishment (A) in the Sub-programme Chemicals and
Waste: “Countries increasingly have the necessary institutional capacity and policy instruments to
manage chemicals and waste soundly including the implementation of related provisions in the MEAs”.
In the long-term, assuming an effective enforcement of such regulatory frameworks on EDCs worldwide,
global emissions of EDCs can be controlled and reduced/minimised (intermediate state) and adverse
effects of EDCs on human health and the environment can thus be reduced/minimised (impact).
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UNEP Project Document
Figure
3.
Theory
of
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UNEP Project Document
Change
diagram
The entire project is designed to have two implementation phases in a four-year time frame; each
phase aims to achieve one project outcome. Subject to current funding availability and increasing
uncertainty in the future, the current project document focuses primarily on the design and
implementation of the first phase in 2015–2017 (activities and milestones were set for June 2015–
2017 in Figure 3, in the following text and the budget plan; however, actual implementation will start
as soon as the project is approved in 2015). At the end of the first implementation phase (i.e., in the
second half of 2017), it is planned to re-assess and evaluate the progress of the implementation and
the levels of development in addressing EDCs in different countries; based on the results of such an
analysis and the new UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2018–2021, the objective of the second
implementation phase in 2018–2019 may be refined, if necessary, and relevant key project outputs
and activities will then be identified and selected. It should be noted that the project outcome [i] in the
first implementation phase does not contribute to the Expected Accomplishment (A) directly;
however, it forms an essential, sound ground for the achievement of the project outcome [ii]
“improved technical capacity in developing and transition countries”, which contributes to the
Expected Accomplishment (A) “Countries increasingly have the necessary institutional capacity and
policy instruments to manage chemicals and waste soundly including the implementation of related
provisions in the MEAs”.
To achieve the project outcomes, in particular the present project outcome [i] increased and
improved intergovernmental and intersectoral understanding, coordination and cooperation as
well as awareness in developing and transition countries in addressing EDCs in the first
implementation phase in 2015–2017, five key project outputs have been selected in order to achieve
the project’s outcome delivered within the project with each output having its key activities:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Overview reports that focus on existing knowledge on environmental exposure,
legislation, measures and gaps regarding EDCs and selected potential EDCs (including
information from developing and transition countries);
Situation and gap analysis reports on the state-of-the-art methodologies and tools for
environmental hazard and risk assessment and environmental exposure assessment of
EDCs;
Annual meetings where relevant actors meet for information exchange and discuss about
specific topics to be urgently addressed through intergovernmental and intersectoral
understanding, coordination and cooperation;
A set of awareness raising materials (e.g., summary of the overview reports for
policymakers, updated UNEP EDC website, webinars and side-events) and regionspecific awareness raising campaign;
Draft project proposals to be submitted for GEF funds for cases studies, together with
developing and transition countries in multiple UN regions, to assess and manage the
environmental exposure to selected EDCs in those countries.
The outputs will be delivered through key activities under each of the project outputs. Outputs 1, 2, 3
and 4 will be conducted at the global level, whereas Output 5 will target some individual countries
(selection criteria see below). It should be noted that this project promotes an integrated approach to
address EDCs-related issues as a whole, not only the environmental aspects. Meantime, it does not
intend to duplicate the IOMC Partners’ work on EDCs. Therefore, although Outputs 1 to 5 focus
primarily on UNEP’s mandates on EDCs from the ICCM 3 Resolution (i.e. to address the
environmental exposure to and impact of EDCs); however, the planned implementation of the project
goes beyond UNEP’s mandates; in particular, activities under Outputs 3, 4 and 5 will be conducted in
close collaboration and/or consultation with the IOMC Partners (WHO, OECD and FAO) to bring
their expertise into the project. For example, at the annual meeting (i.e. Output 3), UNEP will take the
lead of the environmental aspects of EDCs-related issues, whereas WHO will lead the discussion
about the human health aspects. Furthermore, the present project focuses on knowledge sharing and
will ensure information relating to actions to reduce / minimise environmental and human exposure to
EDCs and promote safe substitution be actively collected and included in relevant project outputs
below and timely diffused to relevant stakeholders in the countries, e.g. via relevant awareness raising
materials and campaigns (Output 4).
For output 1. Compile and disseminate overview reports that focus on existing scientific
knowledge of environmental exposure and impact, legislation, measures and gaps regarding
known and selected potential EDCs (including information from developing and transition
countries), key activities include:
Activity 1.1: prepare the scope and outline of the overview reports;
Activity 1.2: send out the scope and outline of the overview reports for comments and inputs from
regions and stakeholders (via UNEP Regional Offices, SAICM focal points, BRS Regional Centres
and the Advisory Group for UNEP on EDCs);
Activity 1.3: prepare the first draft of the overview reports;
Activity 1.4: send out the first draft of the overview reports for internal and external review
(including comments and inputs from regions and stakeholders via UNEP Regional Offices, SAICM
focal points, BRS Regional Centres and the Advisory Group for UNEP on EDCs);
Activity 1.5: finalise the overview reports based on comments and inputs received;
Activity 1.6: disseminate the overview reports to countries in all UN regions.
This output contributes to the fulfilment of UNEP’s commitment to the ICCM 3 Resolution 6(a) to
provide up-to-date information and scientific expert advice to relevant stakeholders for the purpose of
identifying or recommending potential measures that could contribute to reductions in exposures to or
the effects of EDCs. In addition, it is also in line with the request made and the Regional Resolutions
adopted by the Africa, LAC and AP regions to develop such reports.
This output consists of the following six interrelated reports describing the environmental exposure to
and potential impact of EDCs: [i] a compilation of lists of chemicals that have been recognised as
EDCs based on the WHO/IPCS 2002 definitionError! Bookmark not defined. or have been
suggested as potential EDCs by various stakeholders (governments, industry, civil society and
academia) and a recommendation of chemicals to be included in the subsequent overview reports
(EDCs and a selection of potential EDCs with high and moderate priority); [ii] a compilation of the
current understanding on the life-cycle of EDCs and selected potential EDCs, including production
and use, possible sources, environmental fate and transport, and possible exposure pathways; [iii] a
compilation of levels and trends of environmental exposure to EDCs and selected potential EDCs in
different regions; [iv] a compilation of identified adverse impacts of EDCs and selected potential
EDCs on wildlife; [v] a compilation of available regulatory frameworks on EDCs; and [vi] a
compilation of existing risk management measures including examples of best available practices in
reducing the use and/or releases of EDCs and selected potential EDCs, substitution with chemical and
non-chemical alternatives, and other risk management options.
The purpose is to provide a state-of-the-art summary of relevant aspects of EDCs and selected
potential EDCs built on existing knowledge (including peer-reviewed scientific articles, outputs of
regional monitoring networks such as GMP, outputs under MEAs such as BRS, Minamata and
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP), and information from other
national and international bodies). With these reports, a big picture of global landscape including
regional difference regarding environmental assessment and management of EDCs will be drawn and
key findings of relevance and interest to partners and stakeholders in different regions, in particular
developing and transition countries, will be identified and communicated. As such, these reports will
be used as key inputs to develop region-specific awareness raising materials (output 4). This output
contributes to the achievement of the project outcome [i].
It should be noted that the focus of the report will be to find commonalities among substances and
substances groups and to provide information of EDCs and selected potential EDCs that may be
relevant to individual regions. In addition, although these reports are interlinked, it is intended to keep
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them separated, brief and concise rather than to combine them into one giant report, so that each part
can be easily updated wherever needed. These reports will be developed by partners from academia in
close consultation with regional representatives and other stakeholders; regional representatives and
other stakeholders will be invited to provide relevant comments and inputs. .
For output 2. Generate and disseminate situation and gap analysis reports on the state-of-the-art
methodologies and tools for assessing the environmental hazards and risks as well as the
environmental exposure of EDCs based on relevant expert workshops, key activities include:
Activity 2.1: organise the first multi-stakeholder workshop on environmental hazard and risk
assessment of EDCs;
Activity 2.2: prepare the first draft situation and gap analysis report on the state-of-the-art
methodologies and tools for environmental hazard and risk assessment of EDCs;
Activity 2.3: send out the draft situation and gap analysis report on the state-of-the-art methodologies
and tools for environmental hazard and risk assessment of EDCs for internal and external peer-review;
Activity 2.4: finalise the draft situation and gap analysis report on the state-of-the-art methodologies
and tools for environmental hazard and risk assessment of EDCs.
Activity 2.5: disseminate the situation and gap analysis report on the state-of-the-art methodologies
and tools for environmental hazard and risk assessment of EDCs;
Activity 2.6: organise the second multi-stakeholder workshop on the state-of-the-art methodologies
and tools for environmental exposure assessment of EDCs;
Activity 2.7: prepare the first draft situation and gap analysis report on the state-of-the-art
methodologies and tools for environmental exposure assessment of EDC;
Activity 2.8: send out the draft situation and gap analysis report on the state-of-the-art methodologies
and tools for environmental exposure assessment of EDCs for internal and external review;
Activity 2.9: finalise the draft situation and gap analysis report on the state-of-the-art methodologies
and tools for environmental exposure assessment of EDCs.
Activity 2.10: disseminate the situation and gap analysis report on the state-of-the-art methodologies
and tools for environmental exposure assessment of EDCs;
This output is in line with the ICCM 3 Resolution 6(a) to provide up-to-date information and
scientific expert advice to relevant stakeholders for the purpose of identifying or recommending
potential measures that could contribute to reductions in exposures to or the effects of EDCs and 6(d)
to facilitate mutual support in research and advice on translation of research results into control
actions. The purpose of these situation and gap analysis reports is to assess what methodologies and
tools for environmental hazard and risk assessment as well as environmental exposure assessment of
EDCs can be (mostly) agreed on and to identify critical knowledge and data gaps that need to be
urgently addressed. For the environmental hazard and risk assessment part, it is not intended to
address strategies for testing and assessing the potential of individual chemicals to interact with
endocrine systems and to cause related adverse effects, which is currently being developed under the
lead of OECD. Instead, this will be built on existing and ongoing work by other organisations and
look at a higher level, i.e., the workflow on how to integrate existing information on both exposure
and effects to properly assess the risks associated with individual or a mixture of EDCs by integrating
information on both exposure and effects, whether and how would additional factors such as nonmonotonic dose-response or a lack of an apparent adverse effects threshold to be considered in the
assessment, and when proper risk management measures should be triggered (at the hazard
assessment stage or at the risk assessment stage). For the environmental exposure assessment part, it
will look at chemical analyses including possible fast analysis technologies, ongoing development of
combined biological and chemical analyses, and environmental fate modelling. Additionally, for both
parts, information on validation status of the methodologies and criteria for what constitutes method
validation will be included.
It is not intended to develop any guidelines based on these situation and gap analysis reports. Instead,
the multi-stakeholder workshops and the subsequent situation and gap analysis reports will be used to
identify what currently can be agreed upon, i.e. what consensus can be reached now and what
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information/knowledge is needed to reach the next level of consensus. These situation and gap
analysis reports will be used as a basis to convene a series of dialogues among scientists and other
stakeholders and promote continuous advance of the science on EDCs, which will then contribute to
increasing scientific common understanding in the near future. As such, they will be a good starting
point for identifying future common approaches in assessing and managing the risks associated with
EDCs among regions and stakeholders. In addition, these reports will be used as key inputs to develop
instruments for technical capacity building in developing and transition countries in the second phase
of the project in 2018–2019. Thus, this output, as an important preparatory base contributes to the
achievement of project outcome [ii] in the second implementation phase.
In order to be as consensual for output 2 as possible, all relevant stakeholders will be invited to
participate the workshop. At the multi-stakeholder workshop, participants will discuss about predefined points on the topic and provide conclusions and recommendations. The situation and gap
analysis report will then be built on the conclusions and recommendations from the workshop. In
addition, the final situation and gap analysis reports will be peer-reviewed by multi-stakeholders.
For output 3. Facilitate annual international meetings, where relevant actors meet for
exchanging information on past and ongoing actions and discussing about future actions to
address specific emerging, key activities include:
Activity 3.1: plan the first annual meeting (incl. scope, content, time and invitees);
Activity 3.2: organise the first annual meeting;
Activity 3.3: prepare the meeting report of the first annual meeting;
Activity 3.4: disseminate the meeting report of the first annual meeting;
Activity 3.5: plan the second annual meeting (incl. scope, content, time and invitees);
Activity 3.6: organise the second annual meeting;
Activity 3.7: prepare the meeting report of the second annual meeting;
Activity 3.8: disseminate the meeting report of the second annual meeting.
The purpose of annual meetings is to strengthen international coordination and thus to promote
consistent and coherent actions as well as cooperation (synergies) among governments and other
stakeholders (academia, industry and civil society) by starting with intensified conversation among
countries, regions and sectors. To promote integrated thinking and solutions for the human-health and
environmental issues related to EDCs, UNEP will work closely with its IOMC partners (WHO,
OECD, and Food and Agriculture Organization or FAO) in organizing the meetings. In addition, to
ensure annual meetings being efficient and effective, it is intended not only to have mere information
exchange, but also to have intense discussion about specific topics to be urgently addressed at the
international level; relevant topics to be discussed will be determined prior to the meeting in close
consultation with regions and stakeholder groups. The topics of the annual meetings can include, but
not limited to, raising awareness and facilitating science-based information exchange;
recommendations of measures that could contribute to reductions in exposure to and the effects of
EDCs; presentation of information to support decision-making including the prioritization of actions
to reduce risks; and presentation of case studies and advice on translation of research results into
control actions. Outputs 1, 2 and 3 differ from each other as follows: Output 1 focuses on
identified EDC-related substances (i.e., known and potential EDCs) in terms of existing
scientific knowledge and regulatory framework, Output 2 focuses on the scientific and technical
methodologies and tools for assessing the environmental hazards and risks of and the
environmental exposure to EDCs in general, and Output 3 focuses on policy and actions to
address exposure to and effect of EDCs. If consensus can be reached among relevant actors at the
meetings, roadmap, action plans and/or recommendations will be developed. This output contributes
to the achievement of the project outcome [i].
For output 4. Support the design of generic awareness raising materials and the rolling out of
region-specific awareness raising campaigns, key activities include:
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Activity 4.1: design the first set of awareness raising materials based on the UNEP-WHO 2012 report
on EDCs with regional and multi-stakeholder inputs;
Activity 4.2: develop the first set of awareness raising materials;
Activity 4.3: disseminate the first set of awareness raising materials;
Activity 4.4: design the second set of awareness raising materials based on the overview reports
developed with regional and multi-stakeholder inputs;
Activity 4.5: develop the second set of awareness raising materials;
Activity 4.6: disseminate the second set of awareness raising materials;
Activity 4.7: design the region-specific awareness raising campaigns with multi-stakeholder inputs;
Activity 4.8: organise the region-specific awareness raising campaigns.
This output contributes to the fulfilment of UNEP’s commitment to the ICCM 3 Resolution (6)a to
provide up-to-date information and scientific expert advice to relevant stakeholders for the purpose of
identifying or recommending potential measures that could contribute to reductions in exposures to or
the effects of EDCs and 6(b) to raise awareness and facilitate science-based information exchange,
dissemination and networking on EDCs. This output is also in line with the needs expressed in the
Regional Resolutions on EDCs in the Africa, LAC and AP regions.
The purpose of the awareness raising materials and relevant region-specific awareness raising
campaign is to provide an up-to-date overview of the EDCs issue (its scale and dimensions, gaps and
challenges, and existing cases of technical and policy options) to increase the awareness of
policymakers and other relevant actors in corresponding regions. Thus, this output contributes to the
achievement of the project outcome [i].
The awareness raising materials will be developed based on the UNEP-WHO 2012 report on EDCs
and the overview reports developed with regional and multi-stakeholder inputs (including critical
comments1). The topics of the awareness raising materials can include, but not limited to, information
on production, uses and releases of EDCs, environmental exposure to and potential effects of EDCs
on humans and wildlife, existing risk management measures. Some awareness raising materials will
be developed generic as some issues are rather universal across regions, whereas other awareness
raising materials will target specific regions based on their needs.
The awareness raising materials campaigns will be designed and developed in close consultation with
its IOMC partners (WHO, OECD, and FAO), UNEP DCPI, relevant UNEP Regional Offices, SAICM
focal points and BRS Regional Centres, the Advisory Group for UNEP on EDCs and relevant civil
societies (such as IPEN, the Endocrine Society and IISD); detailed form of the awareness raising
campaign (regional workshops, online campaign, etc.) will be defined in each region, depending on
defined target audience (policymakers, academic scientists, manufacturers, the general public, etc.)
and resource availability.
For output 5. support and guidance provided to selected developing and transition countries to
apply, draft and implement GEF funded projects on EDC, key activities include:
Activity 5.1: send out letters calling for interest from developing and transition countries;
Activity 5.2: communicate with countries that express their interest in hosting the case study and
select countries;
Activity 5.3: assess the baseline scenario regarding EDCs in those participating developing and
transition countries;
Activity 5.4: develop the draft project proposals to be submitted for GEF funds.
This output is in line with the ICCM 3 Resolution 6I to provide international support for activities to
build capacities in countries, in particular developing and transition countries, for generating
information and for assessing issues related to EDCs in order to support decision-making, including
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the prioritisation of actions to reduce risks and 6(d) to facilitate mutual support in the development of
case studies.
The purpose of the case studies is to assist developing and transition countries in building up its
technical capacities and possibly developing its own regulatory frameworks in addressing EDCs
through a “learning by doing” process. Participating countries will be selected based on countries’
political will, interests and domestic infrastructure of sound management of chemicals to ensure the
relevance, feasibility, successful delivery and sustainability of planned case studies there. Criteria to
be considered in the country selection are: a) The country is working with its respective UNEP
Regional Office and/or BRS Regional Centres on chemicals and waste management or other related
activities. b) The country has mainstreamed or considers chemicals and waste high in the political
agenda. c) The country has demonstrated success in other UN-supported projects using the principles
of governance. Country commitment is also reflected in country counterpart (co-financing or in-kind
contribution in terms of national and local resources). d) The countries selected are low to medium
income countries with different levels of economic development and industrialization. e) The country
has expressed interest in addressing EDCs. f) The country has expressed a need for technical
assistance in the management of EDCs. g) The country has a strong linkage between health and
environment sectors. h) The country has a sufficient level of infrastructure and organizational
development to be able to facilitate consultations with stakeholders, conduct training, and build
capacity to address EDC issue. i) Information on EDCs existing at national level can be an advantage.
The case studies in relevant developing and transition countries will focus on assessing and managing
the environmental exposure to and potential impacts of selected EDCs in the hosting countries;
activities can include, but not limited to, conduct of monitoring campaigns and industry survey to
assess the risks associated with environmental exposure to selected EDCs, and development and
implementation of risk reduction measures. To develop and implement such case studies is beyond the
resource capacities of this project. Therefore, in this project, it is only intended to assist several
developing and transition countries in preparing draft project proposals on case studies to be
submitted to GEF for funding support. Lessons learned from the development and implementation of
such case studies can be valuable for both participating countries and other developing and transition
countries to develop their own policy frameworks on EDCs. Since it is uncertain whether the planned
project proposal(s) would be accepted by the GEF for funding, this output does not contribute directly
to the project outcome. However, if the project proposal(s) are accepted and successfully implemented,
the project outcomes of the GEF project (s) can and will contribute to the achievement of the project
outcome [ii] improved technical capacities in developing and transition countries in the second
implementation phase of the present phase.
In summary, this project targets at resolving or improving several key fundamental issues related to
EDCs at the international level through direct intervention (project activities) and positive influence
(drivers). However, the EDCs issue is intrinsically complex in both science and policy aspects and has
strong policy and socio-economic implications for different stakeholders (e.g., replacement of EDCs
in use can be costly for chemical manufacturers; although a switch to (more sustainable) alternatives
is equally beneficial to other chemical manufacturers; detailed analysis on such implications see
section iii. Stakeholder and partner analysis below). Thus, engagement and involvement of all
relevant stakeholders is a key element in successfully delivering the project outputs and project
outcomes, but can also be a potential barrier that may jeopardise the successful implementation of the
project, particularly when there would be huge and irreducible discrepancy among some stakeholders
on certain issues. A particular strategy to overcome this potential barrier is to ensure an open,
transparent and science-based approach used in the implementation processes, with active
engagement and involvement of governments and other stakeholders; in addition, all information
generated during the project will be published on the UNEP EDC website. As such, the project will
promote public participation, access to information, ownership and accountability.
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ii.
Relevance and Implementation Arrangements
Relevance to Regional, National or Subnational Priorities (incl. environmental rule of law)
Since the last 2 decades, EDCs have been receiving high interest at all levels. At the international
level, governments and other stakeholders agreed upon at the ICCM3 in September 2012 that EDCs
met the criteria as an Emerging Policy Issue of global concern under Strategic Approach to
International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and adopted a resolution calling for international
cooperative actions in addressing EDCs. In February 2013, UNEP’s Governing Council welcomed the
ICCM3 Resolution and further called upon the Executive Director to provide leadership, in
partnership with others, in addressing EDCs. At the regional level, countries in the African, AP and
LAC regions adopted a regional resolution at the respective Regional Meeting on SAICM in 2013–
2014, respectively; the Regional Resolutions reinforced the ICCM3 Resolution, [i] invited UNEP and
WHO to develop a report with regional inputs that is targeted to the situation and needs of developing
and transition countries, [ii] recommended a robust series of awareness raising activities to take place
in respective regional languages, subject to availability of resources, and [iii] recommended five
sectoral case-studies of EDCs in pesticides, textiles, children’s products, building products, and
electrical and electronic products. The CEE region did not adopt a regional resolution on EDCs, but
acknowledged the elements in the proposed resolution as important to the region. At the national level,
various countries expressed concern over EDCs and their willingness in addressing EDCs at the four
regional awareness raising workshops in 2013–2014, in the responses to questionnaires sent out by
UNEP in advance to the regional awareness raising workshops and at the 2nd meeting of the OpenEnded Working Group on SAICM in December 2014.
Hence, the project outcomes (increased and improved intergovernmental and intersectoral
understanding, coordination and cooperation as well as awareness and technical capacities in
developing and transition countries) in addressing environmental exposure to and potential impact of
EDCs are in line with the mandates by the ICCM3 Resolution, the regional needs expressed in the
Regional Resolutions adopted by the African, AP and LAC regions, and the requests from countries.
In addition, by assisting countries in establishing consistent policy frameworks to address EDCs, it
will contribute to countries’ achievement of the Sustainable Developmental Goal No. 3, “by 2030
substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and
soil pollution and contamination”, and Goal No. 12, “by 2020 achieve environmentally sound
management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle in accordance with agreed
international frameworks and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil to minimize their
adverse impacts on human health and the environment”.
It should be noted that this project is global in nature with a particular focus on developing and
transition countries. It is recognised that the needs and cultural background vary considerably across
countries and regions, but many countries have issues of common concern that might be addressed
through intra- and inter-regional cooperation. Hence, the project team will engage, involve and
coordinate governments and other stakeholders in different regions via UNEP Regional Offices,
SAICM focal point and BRS Regional Centres in the implementation of the project, e.g., to collect
feedback and inputs and to develop region-specific strategies wherever appropriate. In addition, all
information generated during the implementation will be disseminated to the public in respective
regions in an accessible, attractive and reader-friendly format. By doing so, this project will also
support national governments in the development and implementation of environmental rule of law
including promoting public participation, access to information, ownership and accountability.
Furthermore, it should also be noted that this project focuses principally on the environmental aspect
of EDCs; however, the project has strong connections to and positive influence on the work by the
IOMC partners (i.e., OECD on developing harmonised Test Guidelines for screening and testing of
(potential) EDCs, WHO on addressing risks of human-health associated with EDCs through its
Chemical Risk Assessment Network, and FAO on addressing risks associated with pesticide
exposure). Therefore, the project team will have regular dialogue and consultation with WHO, OECD
and FAO to promote synergies. In addition, the project team will have regular dialogue and
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consultation with other project teams that are working on other Emerging Policy Issues of global
concern under SAICM to promote synergies and to develop joint projects and/or case studies, if
possible and as appropriate, e.g., for initiatives on highly hazardous pesticides.
Environmental Rule of Law:
1. Opportunities for enhanced governance arrangements;
ICCM 3 recognized EDCs as an Emerging Policy Issue of global concern and therefore adopted a
resolution calling for international cooperative actions. This project seeks to respond to the said
resolution in addition to other regional resolutions on EDCs.
Moreover, the project will through output three facilitate annual international meetings, where
relevant actors meet for exchanging information on past and ongoing actions and discussing about
future actions to address specific emerging issues on EDCs. The purpose of the annual meetings is to
strengthen international coordination and thus promote consistent and coherent actions as well as
cooperation (synergies) among governments and other stakeholders (academia, industry and civil
society). As a result, the project presents a significant opportunity for enhancing governance
arrangements to address EDCs at the international level.
2. Opportunities for enhancing access to information
The project will continue UNEP’s work on provision of up-to-date scientific and policy information
and international coordination of actions to policymakers and other stakeholders in addressing
environmental exposure to and potential impact of EDCs globally, with a particular focus on
developing and transition countries and their needs. This will enhance access to information.
3. Opportunities for development of legislation to regulate EDCs
Through output one, the project will compile and disseminate overview reports that focus on among
other matters legislation, measures and gaps regarding known and selected potential EDCs. This will
facilitate the provision of expert advice to relevant stakeholders for the purpose of identifying or
recommending potential measures that could contribute to reductions in exposures to or the effects of
EDCs.
4. Opportunities for enhancing the right to a clean and healthy environment
The project will, through output two generate and disseminate situation and gap analysis reports on
the state-of-the-art methodologies and tools for assessing the environmental hazards and risks as well
as the environmental exposure of EDCs based on relevant expert workshops. This will help in
identifying or recommending potential measures that could contribute to reductions in exposures to or
the effects of EDCs and thereby contribute directly to promoting the right to a clean and healthy
environment.
Project Implementation Arrangements
The organisational structure for the implementation of the project is illustrated in Figure 4 below. The
Risk Team within UNEP Chemicals Branch will implement this project. A Project Manager (P5) will
lead a small team (consisting of one part-time P4) to implement activities and report to the Head of
the Chemicals Branch. The Project Manager will make relevant decisions and manage potential
conflicts within his/her designated authorities from UNEP during the course of the implementation,
whereas all members of the Project Team share the responsibility of coordinating and implementing
overall activities and communications between UNEP Chemicals Branch and other involved partners
as well as executing some activities (e.g., organisation of annual meetings) and assistance that
comprise UNEP’s direct contribution to the project. Along the lines of enhanced governance
arrangements, the project implementation team will have regular consultation with other ongoing
initiatives including those under the BRS and Minamata Conventions, Chemicals in Products project,
Consumer Information Programme under the 10YFP, Global Gender Environment Outlook, DEWA’s
work on emerging issues and UNEP Live, to look for cooperative actions (synergies). Furthermore,
within the previous work on EDCs, an Advisory Group for UNEP on EDCs with representatives from
different regions and stakeholder groups (academia, civil society and industry) has been formed in
2014; within this project, the Advisory Group will continue to assist the project team in the
implementation of the project by providing relevant expertise as well as strategic and policy advice. In
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addition, members of the Advisory Group will be invited to provide comments to and inputs for
materials generated within the framework of this project. In general, the members of the Advisory
Group will meet face-to-face or via teleconference every six months and as the need arises; a
preliminary annual schedule will be made available to the members by the project team, once the
project is approved and a final implementation plan is determined, subject to resource availability.
Figure 4. Organisational diagram for the implementation of the project
In addition to the team at the Chemical Branch, various partners will be involved in the project. For
instance, UNEP offices including DCPI and DEWA will be engaged to provide specific supporting
activities, wherever appropriate. Several IGOs (such as WHO, OECD and FAO) are active in the
fields in relation to EDCs; these IGOs will be actively engaged to provide specific activities
(including organisation of annual meetings on EDCs, awareness raising campaigns, etc.), as needed.
Moreover, associations of scientists (i.e., International Panel on Chemical Pollution or IPCP; Society
of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry or SETAC)2 and civil society (i.e. International Institute
of Sustainable Development or IISD3) will be sub-contracted to provide key technical inputs and to
develop relevant technical reports and awareness raising materials. Furthermore, UNEP will be in
close collaboration with International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) and International Council of
Chemical Associations (ICCA) to assist developing and transition countries to develop respective case
studies to be submitted to GEF. Depending on the actual needs, other scientific societies such as the
Endocrine Society, the Society of Toxicology (SOT) and/or the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) will
be engaged for their specific expertise. For example, the Endocrine society will be engaged to provide
their expertise in endocrinology in the development of situation and gap analysis report on the
environmental hazard and risk assessment of EDCs.
2
IPCP has an extensive network of environmental scientists in the field of chemical risk assessment and management, including leading
authors of the UNEP-WHO 2002 and 2012 reports on EDCs such as Mr. Ake Bergman, Mr. Andreas Kortenkamp and Mr. Thomas Zoeller.
In addition, IPCP has produced quality objective reports for UNEP Chemicals. During the project preparation phase, SETAC approached
UNEP to partner in its Pellston Workshop on Environmental Hazard and Risk Assessment on EDCs, which can be one key activity to meet
output 2.
3
UNEP Chemicals has an overarching contract with IISD on developing awareness raising strategies and materials.
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Furthermore, to ensure the national/regional and sectoral relevance of the final project outputs and
actively engage stakeholders in the region, the Advisory Group for UNEP on EDCsError!
Bookmark not defined., UNEP Regional Offices, SAICM focal points and BRS Regional Centres
will be engaged and involved in the implementation of the project including the development of
technical reports (Outputs 1 and 2) as well as awareness raising materials and campaigns (Output 4) to
collect feedback and inputs from their regular contact with governments and other stakeholders in the
region. Moreover, UNEP Regional Offices, SAICM focal points and BRS Regional Centres
concerned will be engaged and involved in the organisation of relevant meetings (e.g. Output 3) and
other relevant activities (e.g. dissemination of technical reports, conducting awareness raising
campaigns) in the region. Furthermore, UNEP Regional Offices, SAICM focal points and BRS
Regional Centres will be closely consulted in the selection of countries as hosts for potential GEF
projects on EDCs (Output 5).
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2
Logical Framework
It should be noted that the logical framework developed (see Table 5 below) refers to both project
outcomes but with detailed indicators, means of verification and milestones only provided for the first
implementation phase in 2015–2017. In the second half of 2017, the progress of the project and the
levels of development in addressing EDCs in different countries will be re-assessed and evaluated;
based on the results of such analysis, the objective of the second phase of the project in 2018–2019
will be refined, if necessary, and the relevant logical framework will then be developed.
Table 5: UNEP Logical Framework1
Relevant Expected Accomplishment in the Programme of Work: Countries increasingly have the necessary
institutional capacity and policy instruments to manage chemicals and waste soundly including the implementation of
related provisions in the MEAs
1. Project Outcome
Indicators
Means of Verification
Resolution/Agreement published on the SAICM
website
No. of ICCM resolution/international
agreement on cooperative action
(baseline: 1; target: 2)
Increased and improved
intra-governmental and
intersectoral understanding,
coordination and cooperation
No. of developing and transition
as well as awareness in
countries expressed interest in
developing and transition
developing own regulatory framework
countries on the EDCs issue
on EDCs, e.g., through a case study
(baseline: 0; target: 4)
Questionnaires to survey countries and
stakeholders at the beginning, after one year and
after two years of the project implementation
(e.g., at the annual meetings and/or through
UNEP regional offices, SAICM focal points and
BRS regional centres);
Letter of intent submitted by developing and
transition countries regarding the participation of
case studies collected in the 2 annual meetings
from country participants.
Project milestones that show progress towards achieving the project outcome
Expected
Milestone
Delivery Date
M1 multi-stakeholders (industry, civil society, academia) and governments, in particular those from
developing and transition countries, provide inputs to overview reports (i.e. output 1)
December 2015
M2 multi-stakeholders (industry, civil society, academia) and governments including those from
developing and transition countries provide inputs to the situation and gap analysis reports, the design of June 2016
first set of awareness raising materials, and the organisation of first annual meeting
M3 successful organisation of the first annual meeting with positive meeting outcomes agreed by multistakeholders and governments and a call for expression of interest / submission of letters of intent made December 2016
at the annual meeting
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M4 multi-stakeholders (industry, civil society, academia) and governments including those from
developing and transition countries provide inputs to the design of region-specific awareness raising
campaigns as well as the organisation of second annual meeting
June 2017
M5 successful facilitation of the second annual meeting with positive meeting outcomes agreed by
multi-stakeholders and governments and expression of interest / letters of intent from government
collected at the annual meeting as well as region-specific awareness raising campaigns with positive
feedback from respective regions
December 2017
2. Project Outputs:
A) Overview reports that focus
on existing scientific
knowledge of environmental
exposure and impact,
legislation, measures and gaps
regarding known and selected
potential EDCs (including
information from developing
and transition countries)
compiled and disseminated
Indicators
No. of overview reports generated
(baseline: 0; target:6)
PoW-EA
Output
Means of Verification
Reports available on UNEP
EDC website
513
No. of overview reports that include
gender-related analysis (baseline: 0;
target: 3)
Expected
Milestone
Delivery Date
Project output Milestones:
MA1 Scope and outline of the overview reports determined with engagement of UNEP regional offices,
SAICM focal points and BRS regional centres
December 2015
MA2 First draft of overview reports developed in consultation UNEP regional offices, SAICM focal
points and BRS regional centres, and sent out for internal and external review
June 2016
MA3 Draft overview reports finalised based on comments received
December 2016
MA4 Overview reports disseminated through UNEP regional offices, SAICM focal points and BRS
regional centres to countries in all UN regions
June 2017
B) Situation and gap analysis
reports on the state-of-the-art
methodologies and tools for
assessing the environmental
hazards and risks as well as
the environmental exposure of
EDCs based on relevant expert
workshops generated and
disseminated;
Project output Milestones:
No. of workshops with world leading
Reports available on UNEP
experts from relevant stakeholder groups EDC website
(IGOs, governments, academia, civil
society and industry) organised
(baseline: 0; target: 2);
No. of situation and gap analysis reports
generated (baseline: 0; target: 2)
513
Expected
Milestone
Delivery Date
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MB1 Scope of the multi-stakeholder expert workshops with world leading experts on relevant topics
determined and workshops scheduled
June 2016
MB2 Workshops with world leading experts on relevant topics organised
December 2016
MB3 First draft of Situation and gap analysis reports formulated based on the outcomes of the workshops June 2017
and sent out for internal and external review
MB4 Draft Situation and gap analysis reports finalised and disseminated through UNEP regional offices,
SAICM focal points and BRS regional centres
C) Annual international
meetings, where relevant
actors meet for exchanging
information on past and
ongoing actions and discussing
about future actions to address
specific emerging topics
facilitated and conducted
No. of meetings with the participation of
all relevant actors (IGOs, governments,
academia, civil society and industry)
(baseline: 0; target: 2);
December 2017
Meeting reports regarding
the major outcomes of the
annual meeting available on
UNEP EDC website
513
Expected
Milestone
Delivery Date
Project output Milestones:
MC1 Scope and content of the first annual meeting determined and scheduled with engagement of WHO, June 2016
OECD, countries and stakeholders
MC2 First annual meeting organised and meeting report drafted
December 2016
MC3 Scope and content of the second annual meeting determined and scheduled with engagement of
WHO, OECD, countries and stakeholders
June 2017
MC4 Second annual meeting organised and meeting report drafted
December 2017
D) Generic awareness raising No. of types of awareness raising
materials developed
materials designed and
region-specific awareness
raising campaigns rolled out (baseline: 0; target: 4);
No. of region-specific awareness raising
campaigns (baseline: 0; target: 4);
Awareness raising
instruments available on
UNEP EDC website;
summary of region-specific
awareness raising campaign 513
available on UNEP EDC
website
No. of region-specific awareness raising
campaigns that include gender-related
topics (baseline: 0; target: 4)
Project output Milestones:
Expected
Milestone
Delivery Date
MD1 Scope and content of a first set of awareness raising materials based on existing materials (e.g.,
UNEP-WHO 2012 report) determined with active engagement of UNEP DCPI, UNEP Regional Offices,
SAICM focal points, BRS regional centres and civil society
December 2015
12
MD2 The first set of awareness raising materials delivered and disseminated through UNEP regional
offices, SAICM focal points and BRS regional centres and civil society
June 2016
MD3 Scope and content of a second set of awareness raising materials based on overview reports
determined and region-specific awareness raising campaign planned with active engagement of UNEP
DCPI, UNEP Regional Offices, SAICM focal points, BRS regional centres and civil society
December 2016
MD4 Scope and content of the region-specific awareness raising campaigns designed with active
engagement of UNEP DCPI, UNEP Regional Offices, SAICM focal points, BRS regional centres and
civil society
June 2017
MD5 The second set of awareness raising materials developed and disseminated through region-specific
awareness raising campaigns with active engagement of UNEP regional offices, SAICM focal points,
BRS regional centres and civil society
December 2017
E) support and guidance
provided to selected
developing and transition
countries to apply, draft and
implement GEF funded
projects on EDCs
GEF Endorsement letters operational
focal points and cofinance letters secured
(baseline: 0; target: 4);
Draft project proposals to be
submitted for GEF funds
513
No. of UN regions involved (baseline: 0;
target: 2);
Project output Milestones:
Expected
Milestone
Delivery Date
ME1 letters calling for interest from developing and transition countries disseminated through UNEP
regional offices, SAICM focal points and BRS regional centres
June 2016
ME2 Identification of 4 developing and transition countries for piloting innovative solutions which meet
GEF criteria
December 2016
ME3 Baseline scenario regarding the information on EDCs in these countries assessed
June 2017
ME4 Draft project proposals based on baseline scenario developed
December 2017
1: A milestone should represent the achievement of a project stage or a project achievement and be s trictly answerable with a yes or no answer.
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