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ROUND TABLE “WHERE SYNERGY CAN BE IMPROVED BETWEEN STAKEHOLDERS”
Contribution from United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Within the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Chemicals Branch of the Division of
Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE) promotes sustainable development by catalyzing
global actions for the sound management of chemicals worldwide. The main priorities include
activities related to specific chemicals such as mercury, lead and cadmium as well as persistent
organic pollutants together with support to developing countries and countries with economies in
transition in sound management of chemicals by providing sound scientific and technical basis
through training and capacity building on existing chemicals and emerging chemicals.
UNEP is one of the members of IOMC (Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management
of Chemicals), which coordinates in the field of chemical safety. Nanotechnology has been taken
up recently on the chemicals’ agenda (see contribution by OECD).
So far, UNEP has not taken an active role with respect to nanotechnologies. However, since
nanoparticles is being recognized an emerging environmental issue UNEP will continue to address
the complex implications related to the possible broad dissemination of this technology with a view
to optimize its benefits and to minimize the environmental risks in support of sustainable
development,
A first output has been published in the UNEP GEO 2007 Yearbook with the chapter entitled
“Emerging Challenges: Nanotechnology and the Environment” [for download see
http://www.unep.org/geo/yearbook/yb2007/PDF/7_Emerging_Challenges72dpi.pdf ]. The pros
and cons from innovative medical techniques to savings on materials and energy as well as
advances in detection and remediation of pollution are highlighted. However, according to UNEP,
the environment impacts are largely unknown and controls typically absent. Therefore, UNEP
concludes that nanotechnology issues have to be taken up through more systematic research and
sector-specific policies.
It is highlighted that life-cycle analysis (LCA) may be an appropriate tool to approach the complex
question how nanoparticles might affect the environment. It involves mapping fate and transport at
every step, from production through use phase until final disposal. There may be a need to adopt
LCA to specifics of nanomaterials but in general the established methods for risk assessment
should be applied.
Besides cooperation with international partners and stakeholders, the SAICM approach (Strategic
Approach for Chemicals Management) may provide a useful platform for such undertaking. For
further information on SAICM, please visit: http://www.chem.unep.ch/saicm/
Finally, nanotechnology may be taken up under the UNEP Medium-term strategy (MTS) under the
“harmful substances and hazardous waste” priority.
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