The issues

Used correctly, chemicals can do much to enhance countries’ development and the quality of human life. However, many risks and hazards arise during the life cycle of toxic substances –  i.e., from development on through production, shipping, storage and application to disposal (if this takes place).
The improper use of chemicals poses a particular danger to developing countries and their populations. Essential measures for reducing this danger are:

• To inform people of the hazards and risks of chemicals and of how to handle dangerous chemicals safely
• To inform the relevant governmental and private-sector institutions of how to handle chemicals properly, that is, in a manner that protects people and the environment from adverse effects
• To improve and pass the legislation needed to regulate and monitor the handling of dangerous chemicals.

Highly toxic substances cannot be confined within national borders. Through the air and water, they spread far and wide, compromising the quality of life and destroying the ecological substructure and human subsistence basis. Their negative environmental impact is felt in even the remotest areas, such as the Antarctic.

Political framework

The impetus for project work is Agenda 21, and in particular Chapter 19, which deals with the environmentally sound handling of toxic chemicals and calls for measures to prevent illegal international trafficking. Paragraph 23 of the Plan of Implementation adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), which took place in Johannesburg in 2002, contains a reiteration and confirmation of Agenda 21 regarding the protection of human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals. It also specifically calls for the ratification and implementation of the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions.

www.johannesburgsummit.org/plan_final

The project advances progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by fostering preventive measures in chemicals management to promote environmental sustainability. It also promotes implementation of the German government’s Program of Action 2015, specifically its point of intervention “Ensuring Access to Vital Resources – Fostering an Intact Environment”.

• Millennium Development Goals

The Rotterdam (PIC) and Stockholm (POPs) conventions, which Germany has ratified, are highly significant for the project’s work. They explicitly appeal to the industrialised nations for support. Germany has many years of experience in chemicals management. As the world’s third-largest producer of chemicals and largest exporter, Germany also has a special responsibility to developing countries.