3. Promoting sound management of chemicals

The sound management of chemicals on a global basis is an essential component of the industry’s sustainability strategy. The International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) and WCC strongly support the objectives articulated at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, that the sound management of chemicals requires the use of “transparent, sciencebased risk assessment procedures and science-based risk management procedures…to achieve minimization of significant adverse effects on health and the environment by 2020.”

SAICM: a framework for international action

To achieve these objectives, WCC and ICCA contributed actively to the development of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), a policy framework for international action on chemicals. Adopted by the International Conference on Chemicals Management in february 2006, SAICM was developed through a multi-stakeholder and multisectoral approach. The ICCA has launched two new voluntary initiatives: the Responsible Care® Global Charter and the Global Product Strategy to support the overall SAICM objectives. The Responsible Care Global Charter creates a long-term direction for the international chemical industry. It focuses on challenges such as sustainable development, effective management of chemicals along the value chain, greater industry transparency and increased global harmonization and consistency among Responsible Care programs around the world. The Global Product Strategy—developed to expand industry’s commitment to product stewardship—includes plans for product administration, a tiered process for risk assessment and management, as well as product performance focusing on working with customers. It also provides potential opportunities for industry partnerships with intergovernmental organizations, and for best practice sharing among countries.

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Capacity building for environmental protection

Under the SAICM framework, WCC and its member companies are committed to further reducing potential risks associated with exposure to chlorinated chemicals in products, byproducts and wastes. In particular, WCC has a range of initiatives to help developing countries implement the Stockholm Convention on POPs.

• National Implementation Plans: WCC is providing financial and technical support for the UN Environment Program/Global Environment facility (UNEP/GEf) 12 country pilot project. The project will help participating countries (Barbados, Bulgaria, Chile, Ecuador, Guinea, lebanon, Malaysia, Mali, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Slovenia and zambia) develop national implementation plans for the POPs convention, including national source inventories for the 12 identified POPs and National Action Plans for managing pesticides and by-product POPs. The outcome of this project will guide further GEf and World Bank funding for implementing the POPs Convention.
• Development of BAT/BEP Guidance: WCC is an active participant in the Expert Group that is developing guidance on best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practices (BEP) to reduce the formation and release of unintentional POPs.
• Additional POP: WCC is actively engaged in the processes for evaluating additional chemicals under the Stockholm Convention and the UNECE Convention on the long Range Transport of Atmospheric Pollutants (lRTAP) to ensure that all available risk assessment data on chlorinated substances is provided.
• Dioxin Toolkit: WCC has provided technical support for the development and update of the UNEP Dioxin Toolkit. Currently in its second edition (2005), the toolkit lists many sources of dioxins and provides emission factors (emissions per unit of activity), with a particular focus on industrial processes. It is designed to help countries prepare scientifically robust inventories of dioxin sources and prioritize actions that will reduce emissions from the largest sources.

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UNEP global mercury chlor-alkali partnership

The mercury cell process is one of the three types of manufacturing processes utilized by the chlor-alkali sector for the production of chlorine and caustic soda. In response to safety and environmental concerns about the use of elemental mercury, the industry has been moving to mercury-free technologies as existing plants reach the end of their economic lives. The WCC estimates that there are 135 mercury-cell plants operating worldwide. In Japan, all mercury-based chlor-alkali production was phased out by 1987. In the U.S., there will only be six mercury plants remaining in operation by the end of 2007, accounting for about 9% of domestic production. In Europe, mercury cells accounted for 48% of European capacity in 2005 and Western European producers have committed to close or convert all mercury cell plants by 2020.

WCC has been an active supporter of the UNEP Global Mercury Programme and has made a sustained effort to help mercury-based chlorine producers around the world reduce mercury uses and emissions. WCC member associations and experts provided technical support for a Russian mercury workshop and coordinated tours of chlor-alkali facilities in Germany, Spain and Italy for representatives of the Russian chlor-alkali industry. As part of its information-sharing efforts, WCC has also held specialized workshops on mercury cell technology in Argentina, Brazil, and India.

WCC has adopted commitments for the responsible handing of equipment and mercury after a plant shuts down or converts to mercury free processes. Companies have agreed not to sell or transfer mercury cells to any third party for re-use, except to replace worse performing equipment and reduce mercury emissions. Companies have also committed to use good practices and techniques to appropriately handle the transport, storage and disposal of metallic mercury that arises after shutdown of the cells in order to minimize emissions and spillage into the environment. Recognising that there remain legitimate uses for mercury that provide value for society, WCC believes that preference should be given to programs which favor reuse of existing mercury over production of new virgin mercury.

Starting in 2006, WCC is submitting annual reports to UNEP summarizing regional mercury use, consumption, and emissions by mercury cell facilities. The charts to the left reflect data from the U.S., Europe, India, Brazil and Argentina (accounting for approximately 80% of global mercury cell capacity).

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