Chemical suppliers are being urged to prioritise the sound management of chemicals and waste in order to achieve the United Nations’ sustainable development goals and the 2030 targets set by the UN environment assembly, which reconvenes in two months for a third time.
The EU Council of Ministers called on UN member states to help increase their knowledge of hazardous chemicals and to encourage the sharing of information on chemicals and how hazardous chemicals can be replaced with safer alternatives.
Among the conclusions drawn from the meeting, the Council highlighted the fact that the UN meeting has to set measures to do with certain substances and chemicals in stone. These include issues relating to endocrine disruptors, antimicrobial resistance, heavy metals, and the growing reliance on hazardous pesticides and fertilisers.
The committee also emphasised the possible role of using sustainable chemistry and other approaches such as safe non-chemical alternatives in addressing these challenges.
In a statement, the Council said: “The Council of the European Union welcomes the upcoming third Session of the Assembly under the overarching theme ‘Towards a Pollution‑Free Planet’ with the aim of putting forward ambitious, effective and collaborative action towards preventing and reducing pollution, and appreciates the work carried out by the United Nations Environment Programme.”
The third meeting of the UN environment assembly will take place from December 4th-6th 2017 in Nairobi.
This news follows a push from the European Chemicals Industry Council CEFIC to encourage chemical manufacturing and supply companies to focus on safe usage and chemical handling.