§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what agreements were reached at the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg relating to chemicals. [77572]
§ Mr. MeacherThe main points agreed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in relation to chemicals are contained in paragraph 22 of the Plan of Implementation.
These include an overarching target of "aiming to achieve by 2020 that chemicals are produced and used in ways that lead to the minimisation of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment". This would include actions at all levels to:
- (a) Promote the ratification and implementation of relevant international instruments on chemicals and hazardous wastes.
- (b) Encourage countries to implement the new globally harmonised system for the classification and labelling of chemicals
- (c) Encourage partnerships to promote activities aimed at enhancing environmentally sound management of chemicals and hazardous wastes
- (d) Promote efforts to prevent international illegal trafficking of hazardous chemicals and hazardous wastes
- (e) Encourage development of coherent and integrated information on chemicals
593W - (f) Promote reduction of the risks posed by heavy metals that are harmful to human health and the environment
A copy of the Plan of Implementation is in the House Library and can he found at http://www/johannesburgsummit.org/, along with a copy of the Political Declaration made at Johannesburg.