Emerging policy issues

Based on preparatory work undertaken ahead of the second session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM2) four emerging policy issues were considered by the Conference in detail in order to focus attention, call for appropriate action and forge consensus on each.  As a result ICCM2 adopted an omnibus resolution II/4 on emerging policy issues with sections on each of the following “lead in paint”; “chemicals in products”, “hazardous substances within the life cycle of electrical and electronic products” and “nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials”.  In addition resolution II/5 on “managing perfluorinated chemicals and the transition to safer alternatives" was adopted by ICCM2.

In respect of each emerging policy issue, the resolution adopted by ICCM2 recognizes the policy imperatives to address identified concerns, agrees on the actions needed and requests specific stakeholders to consider undertaking certain actions as appropriate.

Recognizing the relevance of existing programmes and activities and wishing not to duplicate such work, the Conference has identified and invited the participating organizations of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) and other organizations to contribute in a number of specific areas. 

Additional information on the work underway concerning each of the emerging policy issues referred to in resolution II/4, including contact information for further inquiries on specific issues, is available below:

• Lead in paint

• Chemicals in products

• Hazardous substances within the life cycle of electrical and electronic products

• Nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials

Further information on the work undertaken in the implementation of resolution II/5 on managing perfluorinated chemicals and the transition to safer alternatives is available here.

Discussion on work on emerging policy issues will continue at the meeting of the Open-ended Working Group  which will meet in 2011 in preparation for the third session of the Conference the following year.  An update on progress achieved with the specific emerging policy issues will be given at SAICM regional meetings in the intersessional period (2009-2012), at the Open-ended Working Group as well as at the third session of the Conference itself.  

Consideration of future emerging policy issues

In addition to taking decisions on the selected emerging policy issues, ICCM2 considered more broadly how it wished to address emerging policy issues in the future and in doing so, it confirmed the importance of open and transparent procedures that include effective dialogue with all SAICM stakeholders.

An annex to resolution II/4 contains a description of the modalities for considering future emerging policy issues that were adopted. These include the following steps:  

·                Call for nominations

·                Submission of initial information

·                Initial review and publication of submissions

·                Prioritization of submissions

·                Inclusion of emerging policy issues on the provisional agenda of the Conference

In accordance with the annex to resolution II/4, the secretariat has prepared guidance and revised the questionnaires to be used for the nomination of emerging policy issues to be considered at the third session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management. Nominations can be made at any time before November 2010. Details of the nomination procedures are outlined in a note prepared by the secretariat, which includes the questionnaire and an overview of the steps for the consideration of emerging policy issues by the Conference. Submissions should be sent to the secretariat.

Contact: saicm@unep.org