Regulation of chemicals

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The regulation of chemicals is the legislative intent of a variety of national laws or international initiatives such as agreements, strategies or conventions. These international initiatives define the policy of further regulations to be implemented locally as well as exposure or emission limits. Often, regulatory agencies oversee the enforcement of these laws.

Contents

Chemicals are regulated for:

International initiatives

Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) -. [1] This initiative was adopted at the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM), which took place from 4–6 February 2006 in Dubai gathering Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. It defines a policy framework to foster the sound worldwide management of chemicals. This initiative covers risk assessments of chemicals and harmonized labeling up to tackling obsolete and stockpiled products. Are included provisions for national centers aimed at helping in the developing world, training staff in chemical safety as well as dealing with spills and accidents. SAICM is a voluntary agreement. A second International Conference on Chemicals Management -ICCM2- held in May 2009 in Geneva took place to enhance synergies and cost-effectiveness and to promote SAICM’s multi-sectorial nature.

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)[ [2] ] The “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals” (GHS) proposes harmonized hazard communication elements, including labels and safety data sheets. It was adopted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in 2002. This system aims to ensure a better protection of human health and the environment during the handling of chemicals, including their transport and use. The classification of chemicals is done based on their hazard. This harmonization will facilitate trade when implemented entirely.

Stockholm Convention - The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants(POPs). It entered into force, on 17 May 2004, and over 150 countries signed the Convention. In May 2009, nine new chemicals are proposed for listing which then contained 12 substances.

Rotterdam Convention [3] – The objectives of the Rotterdam Convention are:

The text of the Convention was adopted on 10 September 1998 by a Conference in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The Convention entered into force on 24 February 2004. The Convention creates legally binding obligations for the implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.

Basel Convention [4] – The Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal is a global environmental agreement on hazardous and other wastes. It came into force in 1992. The Convention has 172 Parties and aims to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects resulting from the generation, management, transboundary movements and disposal of hazardous and other wastes.

Montreal Protocol [5] [6] – The Montreal Protocol was a globally coordinated regulatory action that sought to regulate ozone-depleting chemicals. 191 countries have ratified the treaty.

Global Framework on Chemicals - The plan was adopted on 30 September 2023 in Bonn at the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management organized by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). [7]

Regional regulations

USA: [8] The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the US announced in 2009 that the chemicals management laws would be strengthened, and that it would initiate a comprehensive approach to enhance the chemicals management program, including:

Chemicals are regulated under various laws including the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In 2010, Congress was considering a new law entitled the Safe Chemicals Act. [9] Over the following several years, the Senate considered a number of legislative texts to amend the TSCA. These included the Safer Chemicals Act, several versions of which were introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), with the latest in 2013, and the Chemical Safety Improvement Act (S. 1009, CSIA) introduced by Senators Lautenberg and David Vitter (R-LA) in 2013. Senator Lautenberg died shortly after CSIA's introduction, and over time his mantle was picked up by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), who continued to work with Senator Vitter on revisions to the CSIA. The result of that effort was the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, passed by the Senate on December 17, 2015. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Modernization Act of 2015 (H.R. 2576), passed the House of Representatives on June 23, 2015. [10] Revised legislation, which resolved differences between the House and Senate versions, was forwarded to the President on June 14, 2016. [11] President Obama signed the bill into law on June 22, 2016. The Senator's widow, Bonnie Lautenberg, was present at the White House signing ceremony. [12]

EU: Chemicals in Europe are managed by the REACH [13] [14] (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) and the CLP [15] (Classification, Labeling and Packaging) regulations. Specific regulations exist for specific families of products such as Fertilizers, Detergents, Explosives, Pyrotechnic Articles, Drug Precursors. [16]

Canada: In Canada, the Chemicals Management Plan [17] is responsible for designating priority chemicals, gathering public information about those chemicals, and generating risk assessment and management strategies.

Issues

A study suggests and defines a 'planetary boundary' for novel entities such as plastic- and chemical pollution and concluded that it has been crossed, suggesting – alongside many other studies and indicators – that more and improved regulations or related changes (e.g. enforcement- or trade-related changes) are necessary. [18] [19]

Using drug discovery artificial intelligence algorithms, researchers generated 40,000 potential chemical weapon candidates, [20] [21] which may be relevant to timely regulation of chemicals and related products that can be used to manufacture the fraction of viable candidates.[ citation needed ] According to a senior scientist author of the study, synthesizing these chemicals for real harm would be the more difficult part and certain needed molecules for doing so are known and regulated – however, some viable candidates may only require currently non-regulated compounds. [22]

Other issues include:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safety data sheet</span> Sheet listing work-related hazards

A safety data sheet (SDS), material safety data sheet (MSDS), or product safety data sheet (PSDS) is a document that lists information relating to occupational safety and health for the use of various substances and products. SDSs are a widely used type of fact sheet used to catalogue information on chemical species including chemical compounds and chemical mixtures. SDS information may include instructions for the safe use and potential hazards associated with a particular material or product, along with spill-handling procedures. The older MSDS formats could vary from source to source within a country depending on national requirements; however, the newer SDS format is internationally standardized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hazard symbol</span> Warning symbol on locations or products

Hazard symbols are recognizable symbols designed to warn about hazardous or dangerous materials, locations, or objects, including electromagnetic fields, electric currents; harsh, toxic or unstable chemicals ; and radioactivity. The use of hazard symbols is often regulated by law and directed by standards organizations. Hazard symbols may appear with different colors, backgrounds, borders, and supplemental information in order to specify the type of hazard and the level of threat. Warning symbols are used in many places in place of or in addition to written warnings as they are quickly recognized and more universally understood, as the same symbol can be recognized as having the same meaning to speakers of different languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants</span> International environmental treaty

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is an international environmental treaty, signed on 22 May 2001 in Stockholm and effective from 17 May 2004, that aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals</span> European Union regulation

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is a European Union regulation dating from 18 December 2006. REACH addresses the production and use of chemical substances, and their potential impacts on both human health and the environment. Its 849 pages took seven years to pass, and it has been described as the most complex legislation in the Union's history and the most important in 20 years. It is the strictest law to date regulating chemical substances and will affect industries throughout the world. REACH entered into force on 1 June 2007, with a phased implementation over the next decade. The regulation also established the European Chemicals Agency, which manages the technical, scientific and administrative aspects of REACH.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976</span> United States federal law

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is a United States law, passed by the 94th United States Congress in 1976 and administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that regulates chemicals not regulated by other U.S. federal statutes, including chemicals already in commerce and the introduction of new chemicals. When the TSCA was put into place, all existing chemicals were considered to be safe for use and subsequently grandfathered in. Its three main objectives are to assess and regulate new commercial chemicals before they enter the market, to regulate chemicals already existing in 1976 that posed an "unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment", as for example PCBs, lead, mercury and radon, and to regulate these chemicals' distribution and use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dangerous goods</span> Solids, liquids, or gases harmful to people, other organisms, property or the environment

Dangerous goods (DG), are substances that are a risk to health, safety, property or the environment during transport. Certain dangerous goods that pose risks even when not being transported are known as hazardous materials. An example for dangerous goods is hazardous waste which is waste that has substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Directive 67/548/EEC</span>

The Dangerous Substances Directive was one of the main European Union laws concerning chemical safety, until its full replacement by the new regulation CLP Regulation (2008), starting in 2016. It was made under Article 100 of the Treaty of Rome. By agreement, it is also applicable in the EEA, and compliance with the directive will ensure compliance with the relevant Swiss laws. The Directive ceased to be in force on 31 May 2015 and was repealed by Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System</span> Canadian national hazard communication standard

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System is Canada's national workplace hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system, which came into effect on October 31, 1988, are cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS controlled products, the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and worker education and site-specific training programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals</span> International standard managed by the United Nations

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an internationally agreed-upon standard managed by the United Nations that was set up to replace the assortment of hazardous material classification and labelling schemes previously used around the world. Core elements of the GHS include standardized hazard testing criteria, universal warning pictograms, and safety data sheets which provide users of dangerous goods relevant information with consistent organization. The system acts as a complement to the UN numbered system of regulated hazardous material transport. Implementation is managed through the UN Secretariat. Although adoption has taken time, as of 2017, the system has been enacted to significant extents in most major countries of the world. This includes the European Union, which has implemented the United Nations' GHS into EU law as the CLP Regulation, and United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Environmental dumping</span>

Environmental harmful product dumping is the practice of transfrontier shipment of waste from one country to another. The goal is to take the waste to a country that has less strict environmental laws, or environmental laws that are not strictly enforced. The economic benefit of this practice is cheap disposal or recycling of waste without the economic regulations of the original country.

High production volume chemicals are produced or imported into the United States in quantities of 1 million pounds or 500 tons per year. In OECD countries, HPV chemicals are defined as being produced at levels greater than 1,000 metric tons per producer/importer per year in at least one member country/region. A list of HPV chemicals serves as an overall priority list, from which chemicals are selected to gather data for a screening information dataset (SIDS), for testing and for initial hazard assessment.

Hazard statements form part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). They are intended to form a set of standardized phrases about the hazards of chemical substances and mixtures that can be translated into different languages. As such, they serve the same purpose as the well-known R-phrases, which they are intended to replace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Environmental compliance</span> Conforming to environmental laws, regulations, standards and other requirements

Environmental compliance means conforming to environmental laws, regulations, standards and other requirements such as site permits to operate. In recent years, environmental concerns have led to a significant increase in the number and scope of compliance imperatives across all global regulatory environments. Being closely related, environmental concerns and compliance activities are increasingly being aligned with corporate performance goals and being integrated to some extent to avoid conflicts, wasteful overlaps, and gaps.

Safe Planet: the United Nations Campaign for Responsibility on Hazardous Chemicals and Wastes is the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN Food and Agricultural Organization-led global public awareness and outreach campaign for ensuring the safety of human health and the environment against hazardous chemicals and wastes.

The California Green Chemistry Initiative (CGCI) is a six-part initiative to reduce public and environmental exposure to toxins through improved knowledge and regulation of chemicals; two parts became statute in 2008. The other four parts were not passed, but are still on the agenda of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control green ribbon science panel discussions. The two parts of the California Green Chemistry Initiative that were passed are known as AB 1879 : Hazardous Materials and Toxic Substances Evaluation and Regulation and SB 509 : Toxic Information Clearinghouse. Implementation of CGCI has been delayed indefinitely beyond the January 1, 2011.

The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) was the Australian government's regulatory body for industrial chemicals until 2020. NICNAS was designed to help protect workers, the public and the environment from the harmful effects of industrial chemicals. It made risk assessment and safety information on chemicals widely available and providing recommendations for their safe use. NICNAS also informed importers and manufacturers of their legal responsibilities.

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires employers to disclose toxic and hazardous substances in workplaces. This is related to the Worker Protection Standard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galaxolide</span> Chemical compound

Galaxolide is a synthetic musk with a clean sweet musky floral woody odor used in fragrances. It is one of the musk components that perfume and cologne manufacturers use to add a musk odor to their products. Galaxolide was first synthesized in 1965, and used in the late 1960s in some fabric softeners and detergents. High concentrations were also incorporated in fine fragrances.

The global waste trade is the international trade of waste between countries for further treatment, disposal, or recycling. Toxic or hazardous wastes are often imported by developing countries from developed countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act</span>

The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act is a law passed by the 114th United States Congress and signed into law by US President Barack Obama in 2016. Administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates the introduction of new or already existing chemicals, the Act amends and updates the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that went into force in 1976.

References

  1. ↑ "Week-end International du 5-6 juin 2010". Archived from the original on September 9, 2010. Retrieved October 30, 2009.
  2. ↑ "About the GHS". unece.org.
  3. ↑ "Rotterdam Convention Home Page". pic.int.
  4. ↑ "Basel Convention Home Page". basel.int.
  5. ↑ "Publications". unep.org.
  6. ↑ "OZONE SECRETARIAT". unep.org.
  7. ↑ "UN adopts new global rules to reduce chemicals harm". dw . Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)". 29 April 2015.
  9. ↑ Congress proposes toxic chemical regulation reforms. Royal Society of Chemistry.
  10. ↑ "Recent Regulatory Developments | Bergeson & Campbell". www.lawbc.com. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
  11. ↑ "HR 2576 Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act". Library of Congress. Retrieved June 22, 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  12. ↑ Lederman, Josh (June 22, 2016). "Obama signs major overhaul of toxic chemicals rules into law". Associated Press. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  13. ↑ "REACH - Chemicals - Environment - European Commission". europa.eu.
  14. ↑ "Chemicals". europa.eu. Archived from the original on 2009-10-03. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  15. ↑ "CLP/GHS - Classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures". europa.eu. Archived from the original on 2012-04-14.
  16. ↑ "Specific Chemicals and GLP". europa.eu. Archived from the original on 2009-10-05. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
  17. ↑ "Chemicals Management Plan". canada.ca. 2006-10-27.
  18. ↑ "Chemical pollution has passed safe limit for humanity, say scientists". The Guardian. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  19. ↑ Persson, Linn; Carney Almroth, Bethanie M.; Collins, Christopher D.; Cornell, Sarah; de Wit, Cynthia A.; Diamond, Miriam L.; Fantke, Peter; Hassellöv, Martin; MacLeod, Matthew; Ryberg, Morten W.; Søgaard Jørgensen, Peter; Villarrubia-Gómez, Patricia; Wang, Zhanyun; Hauschild, Michael Zwicky (1 February 2022). "Outside the Safe Operating Space of the Planetary Boundary for Novel Entities". Environmental Science & Technology. 56 (3): 1510–1521. Bibcode:2022EnST...56.1510P. doi:10.1021/acs.est.1c04158. ISSN   0013-936X. PMC   8811958 . PMID   35038861.
  20. ↑ Yirka, Bob. "Repurposed drug-seeking AI system generates 40,000 possible chemical weapons in just six hours". techxplore.com. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  21. ↑ Urbina, Fabio; Lentzos, Filippa; Invernizzi, Cédric; Ekins, Sean (March 2022). "Dual use of artificial-intelligence-powered drug discovery". Nature Machine Intelligence. 4 (3): 189–191. doi:10.1038/s42256-022-00465-9. ISSN   2522-5839. PMC   9544280 . PMID   36211133. S2CID   247302391.
  22. ↑ "AI drug algorithms can be flipped to generate bioweapons". www.theregister.com. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  23. ↑ "Doctor's Op-Ed: Consumers are losing trust in the supplements industry. Here's why we need to earn it back". Nutritional Outlook. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  24. ↑ "Prohibited, unlisted, even dangerous ingredients turn up in dietary supplements". Washington Post. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  25. ↑ Grohn, Kristopher J.; Moyer, Brandon S.; Wortel, Danique C.; Fisher, Cheyanne M.; Lumen, Ellie; Bianchi, Anthony H.; Kelly, Kathleen; Campbell, Paul S.; Hagrman, Douglas E.; Bagg, Roger G.; Clement, James; Wolfe, Aaron J.; Basso, Andrea; Nicoletti, Cristina; Lai, Giovanni; Provinciali, Mauro; Malavolta, Marco; Moody, Kelsey J. (1 April 2021). "C60 in olive oil causes light-dependent toxicity and does not extend lifespan in mice". GeroScience. 43 (2): 579–591. doi:10.1007/s11357-020-00292-z. ISSN   2509-2723. PMC   8110650 . PMID   33123847. S2CID   226206079.
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