On 25 October 2017 a conference took place in Brussels to discuss the sound management of chemicals and waste after 2020. It was organised by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUB) and the German Environment Agency (UBA). ICTA was present on behalf of the chemical distribution sector.

On 25 October 2017 a conference took place in Brussels to discuss the sound management of chemicals and waste after 2020. It was organised by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUB) and the German Environment Agency (UBA). ICTA was present on behalf of the chemical distribution sector.

International work on safe and responsible life cycles of chemical products is coordinated through the SAICM policy framework. SAICM is voluntary and involves different stakeholders, including national governments, IGOs, industry and NGOs. Under SAICM there is a programme (QSP) with a $ 37 million trust fund to support projects for capacity building and implementation in developing countries. Next to this, the SAICM framework also allows work on emerging policy issues, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals and highly hazardous pesticides. The secretariat is managed by UNEP.

The international community is reviewing the current policy framework and will decide on a new structure to stimulate sound management of chemicals and waste in 2020. The recent conference in Brussels provided an opportunity to develop and exchange European views on this topic.

Peter Steinbach (VCH), Elisa Setien Villanueva (Fecc) and Willem van Lanschot (ICTA) were present on behalf of chemical distributors. During the plenary part of the session Elisa Setien Villanueva gave an interesting presentation setting the scene for the discussions later that the day. Peter Steinbach opened the forum on chemicals, health and occupational safety with a short introduction. Willem van Lanschot joined the discussion on the governance structure post 2020.