A side event on the transparency and traceability of chemicals in products was held at the BRS COPs on May 7. It was organized by HEJSupport, SSNC, and groundWork South Africa, and moderated by Kei Ohno Woodall, Senior Coordination Officer at the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions.
There are many reasons why it is essential to know what chemicals are in products, stockpiles, and waste. This information helps identify potential health and environmental risks and ensures that products are safe for consumers and do not adversely affect the environment. It aids in managing risks associated with the use, disposal, and recycling of products, leading to safer handling practices and a toxic-free circular economy that does not recirculate hazardous chemicals. Additionally, it helps companies stay compliant with regulations and contributes to innovations and safer alternatives. Furthermore, providing information about chemical compositions builds consumer trust and allows for informed decision-making throughout the entire product lifecycle.
The following speakers presented at the event:
Olga Speranskaya, Alexandra Caterbow, Co-Directors, Health and Environment Justice Support (HEJSupport)
Peter Dawson, Chair of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee
Timo Seppälä, Senior Adviser, Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production / Contaminants Unit, Finnish Environment Institute
Kei Ohno Woodall, Senior Coordination Officer at the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
Andreas Prevodnik, Senior Policy Advisor, Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC)
Rico Euripidou, Senior Manager, groundWork South Africa
Watch the recoding of the side event
Presentations
Olga Speranskaya (HEJSupport): Regional Global and regional developments on chemical transparency and traceability in products
Peter Dawson, POPs Review Committee, Stockholm Convention: Report on options for identifying presistent organic pollutants in stockpiles, products, and articles in use, as well as in wastes
Kei Ohno Wodall (Senior Programme Management Officer, Secretariat of the BRS Conventions): Approacher and lessons learned from multilateral environmental agreements on chemicals and waste
Andreas Prevodnik (Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, SSNC): Chemical transparency information and its traceability in products and stockpiles, with a focus on POPs and chemicals in plastics
Timo Seppälä (Senior Officer, Finnish Environmental Institute): POPs in articles – views from a focal point
Alexandra Caterbow (HEJSupport): Recommendations
