Further inclusion of nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials in SAICM

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1 Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC Federal Office for the Environment FOEN Division international affairs Further inclusion of nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials in SAICM Gabi Eigenmann, Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), UNITAR/IOMC workshop on nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials, African Region, Nairobi, April 05, 2011

2 Outline 1. Nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials (nano) a challenge for countries 2. SAICM a possible governance structure for nano 3. The inclusion of nano in the SAICM Global Plan of Action (GPA) 4. Conclusions 2

3 Nano a challenge for countries Potential risks for human health and the environment: Ecotoxicity: nanomaterials can enter in our body There is the potential of bioaccumulation of nanomaterials in the food chain Persistence: Some nano are not expected to biodegrade Exposure of workers to nanomaterials through handling nanoparticles 3

4 Nano challenge at global level Potential risks for human health and the environment from a global perspective Potential for long range environmental transport Global dissemination by products through international trade Competitiveness - lowering of environmental and human health protection standards Lack of global platform for information sharing 4

5 SAICM a possible governance structure for nano Nano causes a challenge for all countries It is an issue of global concern Enhanced cooperation and coordination is needed to address potential effects of nano - at all levels What are the possible govenrance structure to address nano at global level? 5

6 SAICM a possible governance structure for nano Potential of existing instruments in the international chemicals and waste management regime to address nano in the near future Candidates: Stockholm, Rotterdam or Basel Convention, SAICM 6

7 SAICM a possible governance structure for nano Stockholm Convention very difficult Most nanomaterials on the market today are inorganic, current knowledge gap would prevent any nanomaterials to be listed before several years Rotterdam Konvention difficult Difficult to add newly substances (backward rather than forward looking), case by case basis, carbo nano tubes - chances exist that 2 countries will regulate this in long term Basel Convention difficult Development of nano-waste guidelines; Categorisation of hazardous and non hazardous waste?; not enough knowledge available for safe disposal 7

8 Inclusion of nano in the GPA SAICM: SAICM is a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approach ICCM-2 identified nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials as a new emerging policy issue ICCM resolution on nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials (II/4; E) Africa and GRULAC adopted a regional resolutions on nano Inclusion of nano in GPA is on the agenda of ICCM3 8

9 Inclusion of nano in the GPA The Strategic Approach is able to address further nano by including it in the GPA The Global Plan of Action is a working tool structured in working areas and associated activities Thus the GPA offers a tool that countries can use if they want to undertake activities voluntarily in order to pursue the objectives of SAICM Procedure developed at ICCM-2 for adding new activities to the GPA Inclusion of nano in the GPA is already on the ICCM-3 agenda 9

10 Inclusion of nano in the GPA submitted a proposal to complement the GPA with the creation of a new work area nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials and associated activities in relation to the environmental sound management of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials 10

11 Inclusion of nano in the GPA The new work area includes 16 activities to: Encourage the generation and sharing of hazard and risk data in relation to nanomaterials and nanotechnologies; Support technical, legal and institutional information sharing and capacity building for the management of nanomaterials; Integrate the management of nanomaterials to ongoing and projected chemical management programs; Support the development of adequate risk management tools and mechanisms, including information schemes such as certification systems 11

12 Inclusion of nano in the GPA Consultation process on this proposal has started Through the regional focal points and all other stakeholders of SAICM A revised version of the proposal will be presented at the ICCM-3 for possible adoption 12

13 Conclusion Nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials can be a risk for human health and environment Cooperative action is needed to address nano - at all levels SAICM offers a good international governance structure to start addressing nano Further inclusion of nano in SAICM by complementing the Global Plan of Action 13

14 Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications DETEC Federal Office for the Environment FOEN Gabi Eigenmann Senior Policy Advisor for international chemicals and wastes management Federal Office for the Environment, International affairs division CH Bern, gabi.eigenmann@bafu.admin.ch, Phone +41 (0) ,