Chemical industry to implement UN deal ahead of schedule

Date: 25/05/2000

By Renée Cordes

EUROPE'S chemical makers are promising to implement a United Nations accord governing exports of dangerous substances well ahead of schedule, in the hope of bolstering cross-border trade.

Chemical lobby group CEFIC stresses its members' commitment to notify relevant authorities about planned exports of toxic chemicals and ensure that these substances meet safety requirements at home in a plan currently being scrutinised by the European Commission.

The measures, which would be monitored solely by the industry, would be implemented within the next few weeks, without waiting for the EU executive to come forward with its own follow-up proposal later this year.

Under the terms of the UN accord, which has yet to be ratified, chemical makers have more than two years to implement its provisions.

The 1998 UN Rotterdam convention seeks to ensure better monitoring and control of trade in dangerous substances, and lays down labelling and information requirements for pesticides and industrial chemicals which have been banned or restricted on health or environmental grounds.

CEFIC's secretary-general Jean-Marie Davos said the industry felt that it was important to send a "political message" that the Union was taking its international commitments on dangerous chemicals seriously. However, he cautioned that "the Community system should be consistent with international instruments" and must not go beyond the Rotterdam accord.

Europe's chemical makers are promising to implement a United Nations accord governing exports of dangerous substances well ahead of schedule, in the hope of bolstering cross-border trade.