Resolution V/5: Emerging policy issues and issues of concern
The Conference,
Recalling its resolutions II/4, III/2 and IV/2 on emerging policy issues and acknowledging with appreciation the cooperative actions taken by Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management stakeholders on the emerging policy issues and other issues of concern,
Recognizing the efforts made, the progress achieved to date, and the contribution of the lead entities of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals and other stakeholders to the progress made in responding to the Conference resolutions on the existing emerging policy issues and other issues of concern,
1. Welcomes the Assessment Report on Issues of Concern [1] prepared by the United Nations Environment Programme in response to United Nations Environment Assembly resolution 4/8 on sound management of chemicals and waste;
2. Decides that all existing emerging policy issues and other issues of concern recognized before the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management should transition on an interim basis to “issues of concern” as part of the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste until the next session of the Conference, at which time the Conference will determine their path under the Framework;
3. Strongly encourages all relevant stakeholders to continue their work, as needed, on existing emerging policy issues and other issues of concern recognized before the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management, under the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste until the next session of the Conference;
4. Invites the responsible Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals organizations, in consultation with stakeholders and taking into account the Inter-Organization Programme’s report on Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management emerging policy issues and other issues of concern, [2] the Assessment Report on Issues of Concern and the Global Consultation on Chemicals and Waste Issues of Concern, [3] to submit to the Conference at its next session, under the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste, a report including:
(a) An update on progress achieved in relation to the existing emerging policy issues and other issues of concern recognized before the fifth session of the Conference indicating how the work done contributes to achieving the strategic objective(s) and targets of the Framework;
(b) An analysis of opportunities to further address the emerging policy issues and other issues of concern recognized before the fifth session of the Conference;
(c) A recommendation on the future of each of these emerging policy issues and other issues of concern as an “issue of concern” under the Framework, including workplans, targets and indicators, and timelines, if relevant.
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[1] United Nations Environment Programme, An Assessment Report on Issues of Concern: Chemicals and Waste Issues Posing Risks to Human Health and the Environment (2020).
[2] SAICM/ICCM.5/INF/16.
[3] As reported in document SAICM/ICCM.5/INF/20.