UN Environment Programme to Include 9 Widely Used Chemicals
12 May 2009
Intertek today noted new moves by the United Nations’ Environmental programme that will see nine new chemicals added to its list of ‘dangerous’ chemicals under an international convention targeting the reduction of chemical pollutants used in various products.
Following the recent conference for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants by the United Nations Environment Programme, nine new chemicals have been added to the list of dangerous chemicals. The changes have put chemicals that are widely used today such as pesticides, flame retardants and a number of other commercial uses onto the list for the first time.
Over 160 governments participated in the conference. Under the convention participant governments agree to pursue and adopt laws in their own countries in-line with the Convention’s determinations. Each government can now pursue their own implementation of expanded legislation or inclusion into existing legislations similar to the Kyoto Protocol for climate change.
The UN convention sits atop a growing body of international, regional and state-level laws aimed at reducing the presence of substances that are hazardous to the environment and human health from products and processes. In the past 5 years, regulation has forced manufacturing industries to change production, sourcing, implement phase outs and convert chemicals and components used to deliver 'greener' and safer products to the world.
The nine chemicals are Pentabromodiphenyl Ether, Chlordecone, Hexabromobiphenyl, Lindane, Perfluorooctane sulfonate, Octabromodiphenyl ether, Pentachlorobenzene, Alpha hexachlorocyclohexane, and Beta hexachlorocyclohexane.
“The new UN convention changes further underline the growing concerns of legislators around the world about the use of certain chemicals in everyday uses. Governments that are not looking at laws in these areas are certainly coming under greater international pressure to do so,” states Dr. Ruud Overbeek, Vice President of Intertek’s Health and Environmental Services, Restricted Substances and REACH. “Companies need to review their options regarding these scrutinized chemicals now and consider a phase-out or product conversion strategy.”
Contacts
For further information, please contact
Joel Pekay
Global Marketing and Business Development Director
Telephone: +1 630 481 3126
Email: joel.pekay@intertek.com