A comprehensive global chemicals agreement is needed to safeguard people and the environment, a report has concluded. The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) said existing global agreements for chemicals management fall short, with only 22 hazardous chemicals currently managed throughout their lifecycle at the global level. The report notes: “There is great potential for innovators to decrease burdens on human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals. A more robust regime could foster an enabling environment for innovative solutions to replace outdated business models. If the chemical industry contributes financial and technical resources on a par with these social costs and engages constructively in the development of a future chemicals regime, they can expect increased goodwill, consumer confidence, as well as opportunities for innovation.”

Paths to global chemical safety: The 2020 goal and beyond, CIEL/SSNC, 2013. Risks 597.