Design and Development of an Design and Development of an Inventory of Chemical Substances in Inventory of Chemical Substances in

MexicoMexico

General Bureau of Urban and Regional Pollution ResearchGeneral Bureau of Urban and Regional Pollution Research

Bureau of Chemicals and Ecotoxicological Risk ResearchBureau of Chemicals and Ecotoxicological Risk Research

Background

Mexico does not have an inventory of chemical substances

•Uncertainty in presence of chemicals

•Limited identification and management of environmental risks – response to problems affecting environmental quality

•Limits compliance with international treaties and agreements

SEMARNATDGGIMARParticipates in the environmental management of listed substances whose characteristics make such handling a high-risk activity.Controls the importation/ exportation of pesticides, fertilizers and toxic substances, e.g. ozone-depleting substances (ODS).Provides technical environmental opinions for the pesticide and fertilizer registry and in drafting chemical standards (NOMs).

DGGCARETC Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR)Information and Tracking System for ODS Imports, Exports and Production (SISAO)

PROFEPA Registry of chemical emergencies in MexicoMain substance groups involved in emergenciesReporting of environmental emergencies associated with chemicals

COFEPRIS

Regulation on registration, import/export authorizations and export certificates for pesticides, plant nutrients and toxic or hazardous substances and materials

Rulings establishing the classification and coding of merchandise and products; determination of quantities or volumes of chemicals permitted, restricted or prohibited

Importation, exportation, entry or withdrawal of items subject to health, sanitary or ecological regulation Essential chemicals, additives and coadyuvants, perfume and beauty products, plant nutrients, pesticides

List of controlled substances, psychotropic substances

Lists of chemicals in trade and new chemicals, 2008-2010

Background

Sound Management of Chemicals Program (SMOC) of Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) of North America

In 2007, countries in the region identified the need and importance of having a tool to support enforcement with a chemicals inventory

Background

Also, a collaboration program between Mexico and the U.K. (DEFRA) identified priority chemicals.-Initial project: SAICM Implementation Plan

- Multi-sector prioritization workshop (PAM)

- Updated national chemical profile

- Latin American & Caribbean Regional Workshop

- Follow-Up- Inventory of chemical substances

- Complementary to CEC

•Basic instrument of environmental enforcement

•Awareness of chemical quantities in time and space

•Management and control of chemical substances

•Identification and management of environmental and

health risks

•Support in establishing national policies on sound

management of chemicals

•Legacy of environmental information

What is a chemicals inventory?

Objectives

To design and implement an inventory of chemical To design and implement an inventory of chemical substances, supported by law and integrating substances, supported by law and integrating governmental and industrial information sources governmental and industrial information sources   To involve key national actors in government, To involve key national actors in government, industry and social sectorsindustry and social sectors  To share development experiences in Latin To share development experiences in Latin American and Caribbean countries through a American and Caribbean countries through a regional workshopregional workshop

Inventory ContentsSubstance name – identification (IUPAC)Designator – CAS, UN

Synonyms, formula, structure, molecular mass, description, risks (NFPA), risk symbols, classification for transportation, properties, etc.

Categorization

Substances on domestic market

Criteria – high volume of production, toxicity, ecotoxicity, new substances, etc.

Achievements

Inter-Sector Workshop (September 2007)

• National Outlook – current instruments

• Canadian & U.S. experiences and recommendations

• Priority substance guidelines

• Topical discussions

• Availability of effective experience sharing

• Identification of key sectors

• Funding

Offers the regulatory framework and process for the assessment and managment of risks posed by new and existing chemicals.

Provides that, starting in 1994, all new chemicals manufactured in Canada or imported from other countries must be evaluated using specific criteria.

Empowers the federal government to address pollution problems.

Defines chemicals and toxic substances.

Outlines a list of domestic and nondomestic substances.

Sets out provisions on existing and new substances.

Management of chemicals under CEPA 1999

4,300 categorizatio

n priorities

2,600 mediumpriorities

500 high priorities

1,200 lowpriorities

By categorization, 4,300 chemicals on the domestic substances list were identified for further action.

• 4,000 met the categorization criteria

• 300 warranted further attention from a human health standpoint.

Results of the establishment of priorities

Areas of opportunity

Structure of federal public administration – current legal framework

Organic Federal Public Administration Act

Determination of responsibilities under apparent attribution of authority

Deficient mechanisms of understanding and cooperation

Strengthened transversal, multi-sector interaction

Identification of existing and required institutional capacity

Optimization of communication mechanisms – overcome current situation

Promote representation and communication among actors

- Government agenciesIndustry AcademiaNGOs

Workshops: National / Regional

Required actions

- Analysis of legal framework Analysis of legal framework

- Chemical substances database- Chemical substances database

- Categorization exercise – national priorities- Categorization exercise – national priorities

- Information transfer protocols- Information transfer protocols

- Chemicals inventory structure (dynamic)- Chemicals inventory structure (dynamic)

- Ability to meet international commitments- Ability to meet international commitments

PRODUCTS

Activities

Preparation of workplan – strategies activities Preparation of workplan – strategies activities

Consultant identification-profile-reliabilityConsultant identification-profile-reliability

AgreementsAgreements

Ongoing communication with SMOC working groupOngoing communication with SMOC working group

Analysis of legal framework – review of legal instrumentsAnalysis of legal framework – review of legal instruments

Sharing experience in North AmericaSharing experience in North America

Collection of preliminary information – categorization methodCollection of preliminary information – categorization method

Design of information transfer protocolsDesign of information transfer protocols

Inventory integration – sustainable system – dynamic instrumentInventory integration – sustainable system – dynamic instrument

System testingSystem testing

Communication – workshopsCommunication – workshops

National Workshops and ConsultationsNational Workshops and Consultations

Representation of national actorsRepresentation of national actors

Establishment of consensus prioritiesEstablishment of consensus priorities

Support for implementation and ongoing Support for implementation and ongoing operationoperation

Establishment of multi-sector agreements Establishment of multi-sector agreements and commitmentsand commitments

Communication of results Communication of results

Regional workshopRegional workshop June 2009 June 2009

Sharing experiences with Latin America & the Sharing experiences with Latin America & the CaribbeanCaribbean

Communication with international communityCommunication with international community

Thank you very much.Thank you very much.