PROJECTS
Chemicals management
The increasing political and societal requirements for companies to prove that a substance is safe to market and use, is forcing changes in chemicals management policies on a global, national and regional level.
At the same time, chemical producers and product manufacturers are under increasing pressure to perform their own scientific assessments. This is a reversal of the burden of proof that the manufacture and use of a material carries minimal risk, as illustrated in the European Commission proposals for a new chemicals management policy (REACH).
This added emphasis on risk assessment means that manufacturers and producers will require well designed and workable protocols and methods. Importantly for our members and other companies working within these sectors, these must be tailored to reflect the specifics of metals and minerals.
Within this area ICMM is accordingly taking a dual-track approach:
1) International Chemicals Management Policy
Sound chemicals management is critical to sustainable production and consumption of minerals and metals. ICMM aims to ensure that this is applied throughout the sector and acknowledged by stakeholders including government policy makers.
2) Minerals and Metals Risk Assessment
Metals are natural components of the earth with specific chemical characteristics. Understanding these characteristics is a key factor in ensuring that potential health and environmental risks are adequately assessed and managed. ICMM is facilitating the development and sharing of leading-edge concepts and guidance through the MERAG and HERAG projects as well as responding to the UNGHS system of classification and labelling.
What will our work achieve?
- Recognition for ICMM’s principles of chemicals management within policies such as the EU’s chemicals management legislation (REACH) and the UN’s Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM).
- Proportionate and fair chemicals management policies for competing materials and markets at a global level.
- Technically-robust and science-based risk assessment methods and related guidance materials that are applicable at national, regional and international levels to reduce uncertainty and increase efficiency in chemicals management policy.
PROJECT DETAILS
Developing robust risk assessment methodologies and promoting sound chemicals management in the international policy arena.
- Partner
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- Defra
- Eurometaux
- Eurofer
- Contact
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Minerals and Metals Management 2020
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Materials Stewardship: Eco-efficiency and Product Policy
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GHS: Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
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Metals Environmental Risk Assessment Guidance (MERAG)
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Maximizing Value: Guidance on implementing materials stewardship in the minerals and metals value chain
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Maximizing Value: a summary
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Ores and Concentrates: An industry approach to EU Hazard Classification
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ICMM Newsletter: Volume 5 Number 1 - Feb 2006
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RELATED LINKS
- Mitsubishi pioneers metals recycling scheme in Japan
- Maximizing Value leaflet now available in Japanese
- ICMM presents Chinese version of Minerals and Metals Management 2020
- Materials Stewardship Policy
- 'Action for a safer world' - ICMM's May Newsletter
- ICMM commits to mercury stewardship
- ICMM MERAG and HERAG publications promoted at SETAC World Congress
- ICMM presents at SETAC World Congress
- ICMM and Eurometaux publish REACH compliance guidance
- Mitsubishi's "urban mines" - recycling for production
- Reach Metals Gateway
- UNEP - SAICM
- EURAS
- EBRC
- UNEP mercury program
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
Principle 04:
Implement risk management strategies based on valid data and sound science.
Principle 08:
Facilitate and encourage responsible product design, use, re-use, recycling and disposal of our products
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