INTERNATIONAL
COUNCIL OF
CHEMICAL
ASSOCIATIONS
INVITATION TO THE SESSION
“Advanced collaboration between ICCA and UNEP –
Joint activities to accelerate progress of SAICM Implementation”
HOST
International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA)
www-icca-chem.org
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE)
www.unep.fr
U
SPEAKERS
Ruth Coutto, SCP Programme Coordinator, UNEP Sustainable Consumption and Production
Branch
“Lessons learnt from a successful cooperation between UNEP and ICCA”
Martina Bianchini (The Dow Chemical Company), International Council of Chemical Associations
(ICCA)
“The chemical industry’s contributions towards the 2020 Goal” – The Responsible Care
Global Charter and the Global Product Strategy”
Paul Bever (BASF), International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA)
“Chemicals Safety Management in Africa: Outcomes of the Regional Workshop on
Chemical Safety Management”
Discussion
“The way forward: joint collaboration between UNEP and ICCA in 2012”
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Participants of the open-ended Working Group of the International Conference on
Chemicals Management
FORMAT
The side event will take place at the 17. November in Hall 1 – Annex B – NGO Room.
Lunch bags will be offered from 13:30 on. Introduction and panel discussion with Q&A
session will follow at 14:00 – 15:00.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this session is to present ICCA’s and UNEP’s activities to promote the sound
management of chemicals under the framework agreement (Memorandum of
Understanding) that has been signed by ICCA and UNEP in September 2010. This framework
agreement has been signed to facilitate collaboration to further shared goals and objectives
in regard to the development and implementation of effective chemical management
regimes by businesses and public institutions.
The global chemical industry has a critical contribution to make in enhancing sustainability
and sustainable development worldwide through reducing emissions, conserving energy,
and developing sustainable materials, technologies and business practice. Chemistry can
promote better quality of life and help protect the environment by developing sustainable
materials which provide solutions to reducing emissions, conserving energy, providing food,
mobility and housing, among others. But on a global economy, globalized product flows
mean that potential issues related to product safety are no longer restricted to their country
of origin. In addition, global supply chains call for worldwide mainstreaming of safer
production practices wherever chemicals are manufactured, transported, repackaged and
used. As a response, the chemical industry has expanded and intensified its programs for
demonstrating responsible handling and use of chemical substances. At intergovernmental
level, UNEP has been active in mainstreaming sound management of chemicals in
development policies, and in promoting approaches for safer production and the reducing of
chemical accident risks.
The Secretary-General’s Report on Chemicals for CSD-19 highlights that significant barriers
and challenges to sustainable chemicals management remain. UNEP and ICCA have been
actively addressing many of these challenges and have identified policy options on how to
overcome them. UNEP aims to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities
and industry to develop and implement policies, strategies and practices that are cleaner
and safer, and ensure environmentally sound management of chemicals. ICCA’s firm view is
that a balanced combination of transparent, science-based and cost effective regulations
and industry-led initiatives such as Responsible Care® and the Global Product Strategy is the
best way to achieve safe management of chemicals.
ABOUT THE ORGANISING PARTNERS
The International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) represents the majority of
chemical manufacturers and producers all over the world. ICCA promotes and co-ordinates
Responsible Care®, the Global Product Strategy and other voluntary chemical industry
initiatives undertake to improve safe and environmentally sound management of chemicals.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading organization within the
United Nations system in the field of environment with major areas of focus of its global
mandate, the conservation, protection, enhancement and support of nature and natural
resources, including biological diversity, worldwide.