Code of Ethics on the International Trade in Chemicals

 

13. Private sector parties should promote the application of the guidance set out in the code by:

(a) Establishing the means for sharing experience with various private sector parties, including those parties in different countries or regions, and, as appropriate, with relevant government authorities, concerning measures taken in accordance with the code;

(b) Offering assistance to others who produce and manage chemicals, taking into account their entire life cycle.

14. Private sector parties should work with government authorities responsible for health and environmental protection from harmful effect of chemicals in international trade, including customs offices, in accordance with the principles and guidance in the code.

15. Private sector parties should take initiatives to assist in the implementation of internationally agreed instruments related to chemicals in international trade, in particular the prior informed consent procedure being carried out by UNEP and FAO, as well as those instruments related to chemical accident prevention, preparedness and response 8).

16. Private sector parties, in co-operation with Governments and relevant International Organizations , should establish a procedure for reviewing and revising the code, as appropriate.

II. GUIDANCE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES

17. The following guidance, set out in seven categories, represent the standards of conduct which should be undertaken in order to fulfil the commitment and general principles set out above. Private sector parties should apply the paragraphs relevant to them, in a way which will be effective under their particular circumstances.

A. Reducing Risks

18. Chemical producers and formulators should:

(a) Make every reasonable effort, to the extent practicable, to reduce risks by:

(i) Introducing appropriate procedures to minimize adverse health and environmental effects from chemicals being manufactured and managed, taking into account their entire life cycle, under both normal operating conditions as well as emergency situations.

(ii) Developing safer packaging, and using clear and concise labelling, taking into account existing international scheme with respect to packaging and labelling.

(iii) Take initiatives, to the extent possible, in following chemicals to the ultimate consumer, keeping track of any problems arising in actual use of the chemicals, as a basis for changes in labelling, directions and packaging.

(b) When safe manufacture and management of a chemical, taking into account its entire life cycle, does not seem possible, voluntarily take corrective action and help find solutions to difficulties.

(c) Halt manufacturing and trade, and recall products when appropriate due to the unacceptable risks associated with the product.

19. Chemical producers, formulators and traders should:

(a) Co-operate with relevant government authorities of importing countries and comply with their PIC decisions, recognizing that this might be dependent upon the governments of exporting countries fulfilling their responsibility to transmit to their industry the PIC decisions of importing countries under the PIC procedure 9).

(b) Co-operate with government authorities in order to ensure implementation of the export notification procedures for banned or severely restricted chemicals, where applicable.

20. Industry should:

(a) Whenever possible, endeavour to reduce the quantity of hazardous chemicals used.

(b) Co-operate with government authorities in activities related to chemical accident prevention, preparedness and response, including the development of emergency preparedness plans and support international activities in this area 10).

(c) In co-operation with the Government, ensure safe management and disposal of chemicals, taking into account their entire life cycle.

21. Private sector parties should ensure that transfer of know-how for the production of chemicals be subject to the standards of conduct set out in the code.

B. Testing and Assessment

22. Chemical producers and formulators should:

(a) As regards new chemicals, produce and commercialize only the chemicals that are known to have gone through a process of testing and assessment that is conducted in accordance with national laws and regulations or internationally accepted procedures and updated where appropriate, and where necessary, taking into account the specific conditions of intended use. This testing and assessment should provide the necessary basis for an evaluation of the risks of the chemical in order to allow appropriate actions to protect human health and the environment 11).

(b) Provide summaries of the reports of such testing and assessment to government authorities and, upon request, provide these authorities with the full reports in accordance with applicable national laws and regulations, where such laws and regulations have been in force.

(c) Identify reasonably foreseeable uses and misuses of chemicals and, in order to do so, seek feedback from occupational users on use and misuse of chemicals. To the extent appropriate, undertake additional testing and revision of assessment taking into account the information on uses and misuses of chemicals.

(d) Ensure that proposed uses, labelling, information and advertising reflect the results of the testing and assessment.

(e) Provide, as appropriate, chemical producers and formulators in other countries or government authorities with advice and assistance related to testing and assessment, including assistance in the interpretation and evaluation of data.

(f) Ensure that contract manufacturers are kept informed of new significant health, safe and environmental data on chemicals in international trade.

C. Quality Assurance

23. Chemical producers and formulators should:

(a) Maintain quality assurance procedures to ensure that chemicals comply with relevant human health and environmental standards and specifications, including non-exploitation of products which are out of date and, to this end, co-operate with government authorities, as appropriate.

(b) Ensure, to the extent possible, that chemicals manufactured or formulated by a subsidiary company or a contract manufacturer meets appropriate human health and environmental requirements and standards which are consistent with the requirements of the country of manufacture as well as those of the parent or contracting company.

24. Chemical producers, formulator and traders should ensure that the quality of a chemical complies with the information in the attached label and with the literature and specifications published by a chemical’s manufacturer.

D. Classification, Packaging and Labelling

 

Author: international

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Code of Ethics on the International Trade in Chemicals, International Organizations, country.