The global chemical industry is working to improve the capability to manage chemicals and chemical products. Such a system will help facilitate open international chemical trading and help developing countries obtain needed information on chemicals. For example, industry has voluntarily disclosed emissions data for Pollutant Release and Transfer Registries in a number of countries. In addition, as an information tool to aid developing nations, industry supports the recently negotiated international convention on Prior Informed Consent. The chemical industry contributed to and supported the development of the Chemical Weapons Convention and has worked closely with the authorities to prevent the diversion of commercial chemicals for illegal purposes.
POPs POPs require unique risk management strategies.
POPs represent a very small percentage of organic compounds. The few exceptions include certain critical uses, such as public health applications in some developing nations. The chemical industry recognizes the potential risks posed by POPs and is committed to working with governments and international health organizations to reduce the human health and environmental risks that may be associated with them in the industry's products, by-products and wastes. To ensure that global and regional agreements reduce the risks of these substances without imposing unnecessary social or economic consequences, industry believes that any international action should be based on a scientific assessment of potential risks and use of a science-based, precautionary approach as embodied in Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration. An internationally agreed upon assessment methodology should be used to identify additional POPs candidates.