For the coming fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), HEJSupport, SSNC and groundWork SA prepared an information paper titled “Global Cross-sectoral Transparency System” (GCTS) for information on the identity of chemicals in materials and products – rationale for and clarification of the elements in the alt B2 target in the IP4.2 co-chair’s consolidated document”. The paper is now available at the ICCM5 website and can also be downloaded below.
The paper highlights that disclosing information about chemicals in solid manufactured materials and articles is a missing piece of information sharing, essential for achieving a safe toxic-free circular economy and for fulfilling the right-to-know and precautionary principles.
While many countries already implement a voluntary UN globally harmonized system (GHS)
for disclosing information on the identities of chemical elements and chemical mixtures, no
similar system currently exists for disclosing information on the identities of chemicals in
solid manufactured materials and products.
The absence of a globally harmonized system of chemical information disclosure for solid
materials and products is an obstacle to informed decision-making for all life stages along
material and product life cycles. It undermines possibilities of fulfilling targets 12.4 and 12.5 to
the Sustainable Development Goal 12 on sustainable production and consumption, including
the creation of a toxic-free circular and resource-efficient economy.
At the same time, “systems for the transparent sharing of relevant data and information
among all relevant stakeholders using a life cycle approach” is one of the core elements of
the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Overall orientation
and guidance for achieving the 2020 goal of sound management of chemicals.
This information document presents the case for how a harmonized “Global Cross-sectoral
Transparency System” (GCTS) could easily be constructed based on already existing
elements and suggestions in the SAICM Chemicals in Products Programme.