Chemical legislation and drivers for change

There is little doubt that Rachel Carson s publication Silent Spring raised awareness of the impact of chemicals in the environment to an international level. Since then, environment groups worldwide have picked up the baton. Arguably, some activities and govemment-led responses were misjudged but their influence on the need for, and development of, environmental legislation concerning chemicals is unquestionable. 

An outline of this hierarchical approach, using Europe as an example, is described briefly and refers to some of the more important pieces of legislation. Table 1.4 provides more detail on the key pieces of European legislation concerning the control of chemicals. 

International agreements Continent-wide directives/legislation National Government/State regulations Regional/regulatory agencies 

The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro laid the foundation for an Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) and Chapter 19 of Agenda 21 dealt with the environmentally sound management of toxic chemicals. The IFCS oversees the implementation of six programme areas  

The IFCS coordinates an international structure that includes the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the OECD, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). 

---