International Organizations
Helsinki Commission
The Helsinki Commission, or HELCOM, works to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution through intergovernmental co-operation between Denmark, Estonia, the European Community, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden. HELCOM is the governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area.”
[Go to website]
Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS)
The IFCS was created by the International Conference on Chemical Safety held in Stockholm in April 1994. The forum is a unique, overarching mechanism for cooperation among governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations for the promotion of chemical risk assessment and the environmentally sound management of chemicals. The Forum develops international voluntary approaches to chemicals management.
[Go to website]
International Conferences on Protection of the North Sea
The aim of the North Sea Conferences is to provide political impetus for the intensification of the work within relevant international bodies, and to ensure more efficient implementation of the existing international rules related to the marine environment in all North Sea States. There have been five North Sea Conferences with statements on reduction of hazardous chemicals and use of precautionary approaches.
[Go to website]
Interorganization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC)
The IOMC was established in 1995 as a mechanism for coordinating the efforts of various international agencies in the assessment and management of chemicals. Has working groups on chemical accident prevention, destruction of obsolete pesticides and industrial chemicals, harmonization of classification and labeling, and right to know.
[Go to website]
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
Chemical Safety - The OECD harmonizes international standards for chemicals testing, and has initiated a program in sustainable chemistry. The Organization also conducts extensive research into industry trends. OECD has issued reports on chemical industry trends and applications of the precautionary principle.
[Go to website]
OSPAR Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic
The OSPAR Convention entered into force on 25 March 1998. The OSPAR Commission administers the OSPAR Convention which establishes policies to prevent persistent and bioaccumulative pollution as well as waste dumping. The website contains relevant decisions and background information.
[Go to website]
United Nations
United Nations Environment Programme
UNEP Chemicals is the center for all chemicals-related activities of the United Nations Environment Programme. Its goal is to help governments take needed global actions for the sound management of chemicals, by promoting the exchange of information on chemicals, and by helping to build the capacities of countries around the world to use chemicals safely. UNEP Chemicals administers the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent. It also administers the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Program.
[Go to website]
[Go to website] (Stockholm Convention related documents)
[Go to website] (Rotterdam Convention related documents)
United Nations Environment Programme
Industry and Environment Office - Cleaner Production - The UNEP Industry and Environment Office has an active program in promoting Cleaner Production through outreach, National Pollution Prevention Centers and reports. The website has a database of clean production case studies.
[Go to website]
[Go to website] (SAICM)
United Nations Institute for Training and Research
UNITAR was established in 1965 as an autonomous body within the United Nations with the purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of the Organization through appropriate training and research. The Institute has initiated a program aimed at assisting countries, particularly developing countries, in developing integrated chemicals management programs.
[Go to website]
 |
