The nanosafety and ethics strategic plan of Thailand in the context of the strategic approach to international chemicals management

Abstract

Since 2006, the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management is a policy framework to promote chemical safety around the world. In 2009, safety of nanomaterials has been recognised as an Emerging Policy Issue, and awareness to it has improved in the last two decades. Various countries act as pioneers in their respective geographic regions. This article presents the Nanosafety and Ethics Strategic Plan of Thailand and its implementation since 2012, when on the third International Conference on Chemicals Management nanosafety was amended as emerging policy issue. In 2015, an intersessional process was started to negotiate a new post-2020 regime. This process was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, so many countries have not yet implemented nanosafety in their national legislations. Therefore, it is important to keep nanosafety in the post-2020 context of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management as an issue of concern without going a second time through an elaborate evaluation process again.

Keywords:

• Nanoregulation
• nanosafety
• nanosafety and ethics strategic plan of Thailand
• SAICM
• emerging policy issue

1. Introduction

Global chemicals policy has been quite successful since half a century. Several multilateral environmental agreements such as the Montreal Protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, the Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes, and the Rotterdam, Stockholm, and Minamata Conventions have been negotiated and ratified. The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is like an umbrella above these conventions. SAICM's overall objective was to achieve sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle so that by the year 2020 chemicals are produced and used in ways that significantly minimize adverse impacts on the environment and human health (SAICM 2006a). In addition, the international community has discussed emerging policy issues on several fora. The safety of manufactured nanomaterials is such an emerging policy issue.

Thailand early recognised the opportunities and risks associated with the use of nanomaterials and created appropriate structures to exploit the opportunities of nanomaterials while increasing the safety in their handling, for this purpose developing and implementing a Nanosafety Strategic and Ethics Plan. In this article this plan is explained and the importance of global cooperation in enhancing nanosafety is addressed. SAICM has proven to be an ideal platform for global discussion of nanosafety as an emerging policy issue. With this article is also proposed that global nanosafety should be further developed as an issue of concern in the post 2020 context.

2. The nanosafety and ethics strategic plan of Thailand

2.1. Coordination between ministries and other stakeholders

In Thailand, the first Nanosafety and Ethics Strategic Plan was started for the years 2012–2016, and so far the second plan has been developed which covered the period of 2017–2021 (see NANOTEC 2017). Since Nanosafety issues are still a matter of concern for policy makers, therefore in Thailand we think it may be a good idea to incorporate this issue together with the guideline for ethical impact assessment for nanomaterials and products containing nanomaterials for implementation at the same level. During these years, the number of commercial products increased and many of them involved nanomaterials for added value products. Therefore, the following three government organizations started a strategic nano partnership:

1. the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) responsible for controlling nano products for health, i.e. food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and household sanitary products,

2. the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) responsible for the standard of industrial products, and

3. the National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC) responsible in research and development, innovation and engineering, and application of nanotechnology in product prototypes and their transfer to industry through technology license agreements.

These agencies agreed to collaborate and monitor that nanotechnology is applied to improve the value of products, at the same time not overlooking risks and dangers which may arise. In addition, other agencies namely the Department of Disease Control, the Department of Health, the Department of Medical Services who are under the Ministry of Public Health, the Department of Industrial Works under the Ministry of Industry, and the Nanotechnology Association of Thailand, an independent entity, are also in agreement that Thailand shall manage to promote the Nanosafety and Ethics Strategic Plan. This strategic plan shall be implemented as a guideline for creating operational action plans by relevant agencies including reviewing and updating the action plan annually in order to provide updates, monitoring, and flexibility to achieve their goals.

The core organization is the National Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy Office which was established in 2008 as an autonomous public agency to implement the policy set forth by the National Council of Research and Innovation Policy. The two Nanosafety and Ethics Strategic Plans were approved by the Thai Cabinet in 2012 and 2018 through the lead of STI Policy Office with strong collaborations among the mentioned agencies above. NANOTEC has worked closely with STI to appoint the committees to create the strategies and policy in order to promote understanding, overseeing, monitoring, and managing the safety and ethics related to nanotechnology. In addition, NANOTEC controls the nanoproducts in Thailand. The current nanosafety strategic plan has been extended now to 2024 as approved by Office of the National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) (NANOTEC 2021).

2.2. Vision, objectives, and key performance indicators of the strategic plan

A diagram on the relationship between vision, objectives, indicators, strategies, and measures of the National Nanosafety and Ethics Strategic Plan (2017–2021) is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Relationships between vision, objective, indicators, strategies, and measures of the National Nanosafety and Ethics Strategic Plan (2017–2021).

The vision Safe-nano for Thailand’s sustainable development promotes social development in many aspects of health, education, environment, and economy.

The objective is to enhance public health and environmental safety, as well as to promote social security through ethical, sustainable, and proper support of research and development, production, distribution, and usage of nanoproducts.

Key performance indicators and targets for the Nanosafety and Ethics Strategic Plan (2017–2021) are the following:

1. An effective management system of nanosafety and ethics is related to all operating sectors.

2. Marketed nanoproducts are labelled displaying nanomaterial components and safety information based on scientific evidence.

3. The public has sufficient knowledge and understanding to be aware of safety and risks associated with storage and handling of nanoproducts

To achieve the vision and objectives of the plan, three strategies have been determined to involve and integrate all sectors.

Strategy 1: Establish and implement knowledge management in safety and ethics of nanoproducts;

Strategy 2: Develop and reinforce measures of monitoring and enforcement mechanisms;

Strategy 3: Strengthen and promote public engagement.

Measures: These strategies are developed from Thailand’s Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat analysis for nanosafety and ethics, covering five working fields:

1. Engineering

2. Enforcement

3. Economy and finance

4. Education and knowledge management

5. Empowerment.

Implementation of the strategic plan is a significant process, it requires synergy, teamwork, proper technology, and vivid target. It unifies the objective with strategies as following:

1. Operation by focusing on every sector’s engagement: set clear goals and share responsibilities in order to enhance efficiency. Moreover, establish in mechanisms where beneficiaries and affected parties are involved in analysing, planning and making decisions in every process.

2. Reinforce knowledge and understanding to the public: the strategic plan emphasizes that each sector needs to establish work plans, projects and activity plans, which conform to the national policy and strategy. Nanosafety development shall be a national policy to be able to communicate to the public and related parties on how to manage and develop the strategic plan. Enhance understanding of nanosafety as well as create engagement in the monitoring process. Rise awareness on the potential risks and unexpected outcomes that may occur within the community and society.

3. Adapt work plans, projects, and activity plans to fit budget approval practice: each sector must concern in the work plans, projects and activity plans the time frame of the strategic plan as well as the vision, policy, public needs and the country’s development situation.

4. Public engagement: in order to make the policy and operation of the strategic plan to be fully effective, the public engagement shall be included in the private sector on nanosafety management. Several measures shall be included (1) strengthen communities’ awareness and monitoring of nanomaterials manufacturing process, (2) promote learning on the advantages of nanomaterials and nanosafety, (3) increase coordination in the community and different sectors aiming to produce concrete operational outcomes.

5. The mechanism of the nanosafety and risk management committee is used to improve the implementation: this process involves NANOTEC, representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and of related parties from both public and private sectors. This brings integration, results in collaboration, and leads to financial support for operations concerning the nanosafety and risk management.

2.2.1. Implementing the strategic plan

The organization structure with clear roles and missions of each sector leads to the implementation starting from the cabinet level to the operating level (Figure 2). Several ministries and sectors are integrated in order to determine a strategy which involves nanosafety operations and the national financial plans such as determining the primary responsible agencies to work as a coordinator for the implementation plan, in order to emphasize engagement of ministries and network sectors. The budget submitting process of ministries and different sectors needs to include an annual implementation plan, which conforms to each sector’s roles and missions. The nanosafety and risk management committee coordinates, pushes forward and promotes financial support whereas different sectors work together.

Figure 2. Organization chart for implementation.

2.3. Monitoring and evaluation

The process of monitoring and evaluation must follow the framework of public administration in a result-oriented approach. The concept includes the evaluation of key success indicators in different dimensions. A monitoring and evaluating committee is designated with representatives from government sectors, research centers, education sectors, and private sectors. They continuously evaluate and compile past performance at least once a year. The results will then be used by the Nanosafety and Risk Management Committee to efficiently follow up and speed up the implementation plan.

2.3.1. Status and trends of nanotechnology research and products in Thailand

The Thai government has also approved the National Nanotechnology Policy Framework (2012–2021) which provides national guidelines for nanotechnology development. It calls for a dramatic increase of science, technology, and innovation in nanotechnology. The guidelines cover nano safety practices for industrial sectors, safety practice guidelines for nanomaterials, practices for nano-healthcare products for entrepreneurs, and nano safety guidelines. The momentum continued in the area of building public awareness of direct and indirect effects of nano materials and nano products to health and environment. At present status, the Nanosafety Strategic and Ethics Plan has been officially extended into 2024, as per approval by the NXPO in December 2020 (NANOTEC 2021).

Successful case studies of companies active in nanoparticle technology reflect the Thai nanotech market. The first example is a Thai petrochemical company which started operation in 2014. One of their products is an antibacterial agent which can be supplied in almost any type of carrier including Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) copolymers in powder form with antibacterial effect up to 99% under the JIS Z2801 standard, which can be used for plastic products, sanitary ware, fibres, rubber, paints, and agriculture. The plant produces nanoparticles with production capacity of 140 tons per year and had net revenue of about 40,000 million Baht (1.25 Billion USD) announced by the company CEO in February 2021.

The second example is a nanotechnology-based company specializing in nanomaterial synthesis and applications. As spin-off of a research unit at the faculty of science of Chulalongkorn University, the company’s focus is on silver and gold nanoparticles. Other nanoparticles made of TiO₂, SiO₂, or Al₂O₃ are also available.

Since 2010 NanoQ exists, a voluntary label (Figure 3) for industrial products containing nanomaterials. NanoQ is issued by the Nanotechnology Association of Thailand, an independent association to support and promote awareness of nanotechnology innovations. It helps to build consumers’ confidence and sets quality standards. Companies wishing to obtain the label for a certain product can apply at the Association which, together with NANOTEC, will have the product tested by dynamic light scattering and certified of having particles of nano sizes and also for any other activity and efficacy claimed.

Figure 3. NanoQ voluntary label.

A yearly auditing process will also be part of the NanoQ mark package. Certification mark plays an important role in the commercial sector. It acts as evidence of the existence of follow-up agreements between manufacturers and national accredited testing and certification organization. With the increase of new nano-enabled products on the market, NanoQ certification will be an important factor to encouraging domestic manufacturers to develop nano products and promote consumers' acceptance. To date, 7 NanoQ labels have been awarded, with several more waiting in the pipeline.

In addition, the strategic plan has also been instrumental in initiating various activities such as creation of the Nanosafety Network for Industry and setting up of a Standards Development Organization which is approved and certified by TISI. At present, it is a function of the TISI and since 2020 they collaborate with NANOTEC to issue the standards for herbal extract nano-encapsulation particles, such as black ginger, turmeric, and centella extracts for beverage and cosmeceutical industries. Currently, the working group is pushing to complete draft industrial standards for a herb extract (Kaempferia extract) to be submitted to TISI for final approval within 2021.

NANOTEC has established an easy to read mobile phone application (in Thai language) of the existing seven industrial standards that have been approved by TISI, to promote nanosafety and industrial standards awareness among local industries.

On 9th December 2020, a collaborative partnership agreement between the Department of Industrial Works, the Consumer Protection Board, the Council of Scientific and Technological Associations, the Federation of Thai Industry, the Thai FDA, the National Institute of Metrology (NIMT), the Nanotechnology Association of Thailand (NAT), the TISI, and NANOTEC was established. The aim of this partnership is to promote the Nanosafety and Ethics Strategic Plan 2017–2024, in order to enhance industrial understanding and awareness of how new nano-enabled products can pose risks to human and environmental health. In addition to existing industrial standards related to nanotechnology, the network will also explore other activities such as the generation of an industrial data base, of easy-to-read safety publications and manuals, or the participation in seminars and exhibitions.

2.4. Nanosafety research at NANOTEC

Research projects included nanoparticle-coated fabrics, which were subject to wash-water contamination tests. Nano-titanium dioxide (TiO₂) coated fish tanks were tested for toxicity to fish. Skin creams containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles were also tested for skin penetration through a model (pig) skin. Ecotoxicity of nanosilver in waste water was also tested. More comprehensive nanomaterial safety data were generated in the Nano Safety and Risk Assessment Laboratory of NANOTEC, which specifically addresses two main areas regarding safety investigation of nanomaterials: Human health and the Environment. Currently, the effects of three nanomaterials, Ag, TiO₂, and Au, have been investigated. In addition, NANOTEC and NIMT have been collaborating since 2010 to establish quality infrastructure in areas related to nano-scale measurement, calibration, and metrology.

In sum, Thailand is addressing nanosafety concerns in manners that embraces harmonization and enhances the overall goal of technology development. Such technology development and safety awareness need to complement each other in order to achieve sustainable development goals.

3. Examples of nanosafety approaches in other countries

UNITAR supported by the government of Switzerland prepared in a first phase (2012 − 2013) in the countries Nigeria, Thailand and Uruguay and in a second phase (2014–2015) in the countries Armenia, Jordan and Vietnam pilot projects related to the safety of nanomaterials at the national level (SAICM 2012b) (Table 1). Guidance was being developed by a group of experts from IOMC (UNITAR 2011). The guidance was tested in the pilot countries. Pilot project deliverables and key activities included:

Table 1. Pilot projects on nanosafety in selected countries.

Country	Activity	Outcome
Armenia	Formulation of a new nanosafety policy.	Addition of a nanosafety chapter to the national profile on chemicals management.
Jordan	Awareness rising of the nanosafety issue at the national level, information sharing on nano activities in the country.	Workplace safety guidelines.
Nigeria	- Endorsement of a chapter on nanotechnology and nanomaterial concerns, which contains elements of a national nano-safety policy and strategic plan for nano-safety and nano ethics, as part of the Nigerian National Profile (now includes Chapter 5 on Nanomaterial Concerns); - Strengthening of formed networks of stakeholders for continued cooperation on nano-safety issues (information on nano-safety); - Identification of gaps and preferred recommendations by stakeholders for implementation. - The project outputs can now be shared both at the international and national levels.
Thailand	See chapter 2.	National Nanosafety and Ethics Strategic Plan (2012–2016; 2017–2024)
Uruguay	Development of a nanosafety plan for Uruguay.	Nanotechnology and Nanosafety in Uruguay – Nanoevaluation and Proposal for a Nanosafety Plan (90 pages) (Basel Convention Coordinating Centre and Stockholm Convention Regional Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean 2013).
Vietnam	- Review of activities and ongoing research in the country related to nanotechnology; - Assessment of national nanosafety priorities.	Proposal for activities for the period 2016–2020 and a national vision up to 2025.

• undertaking preparatory activities, including identification of a lead agency and key ministries and other stakeholders involved in and interested in nanotechnology issues;

• updating of the National Profile for chemicals management to include a new chapter on nanomaterials;

• development of a national policy or action plan on the safety management of nanomaterials;

• identification of key health and environmental protection‐related priorities concerning nanomaterial safety;

• targeted training; and

• including nanomaterial safety as part of the country’s national programme for the sound management of chemicals.

3.1. Regional meetings

In 2009 and 2010 in the context of SAICM, a first series of UNITAR/OECD/IOMC nanosafety awareness-raising workshops took place:

• in December 2009 for Central and Eastern European countries in Lodz, Poland;

• in January 2010 for the African region in Abidjan, Ivory Coast;

• in April 2010 for the Arab region in Alexandria, Egypt;

• in September 2011 for the Asia-Pacific region in Beijing.

Regional meetings were jointly organized by UNITAR and OECD in 2015 for the African region in Lusaka, Zambia; for the Latin American and Caribbean region in Bogota, Colombia; for the Asia-Pacific region in Bangkok, Thailand. In 2018, OECD and UNITAR organized two workshops, back-to-back with SAICM regional meetings being held in Panama and Poland. In addition, a workshop focusing on Africa and on the Asia-Pacific region was held in Geneva in September 2018.

4. Nanosafety in the global regulatory context

4.1. Early activities, intergovernmental forum on chemical safety

International cooperation on chemical safety after the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 is one of the success stories in international chemical governance (Karlaganis and Perrez 2011; Perrez and Karlaganis 2012). In response of the invitation of UNCED Agenda 21 to further consider the establishment of an Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS), the executive heads of UNEP, ILO and WHO convened in Stockholm 25–29 April 1994 the International Conference on Chemical Safety (ICCS, or Forum I) at the invitation of Sweden and 114 countries, IGOs and NGOs. Intersessional work was guided by the Forum Standing Committee and the IFCS Secretariat, which is located at the WHO. Further Forum sessions were held Forum II in Ottawa 1997, Forum III in Salvador da Bahia 2000, Forum IV in Bangkok 2003, Forum V in Budapest 2006 and Forum VI in Dakar 2008. The meeting reports are available at the websites of WHO (WHO 2021) and IISD Earth Negotiation Bulletins (IISD ENB 2021).

The Dakar statement on nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials was adopted on 19 September 2008 by seventy governments, 12 intergovernmental organizations, and 39 nongovernmental organizations participating in Forum VI of IFCS in Dakar, Senegal (Table 2; IFCS 2008). The Dakar statement has a preamble and 21 recommendations of the Forum mentioning the precautionary principle and covering, among others, awareness rising, information transfer by material safety data sheets MSDS, occupational health and safety, research, national codes of conduct, legislative frameworks, ISO standards, consumer information and support by Governments, IGOs and NGOs.

Table 2. Dakar statement on manufactured nanomaterials (IFCS 2008).

Preamble
The IFCS met in Dakar at the invitation of the Government of Senegal at the sixth session of the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety from 15 to 19 September 2008. The potential benefits, new opportunities, challenges, hazards, risks, ethical and social issues of manufactured nanomaterials and nanotechnologies were recognized and the need to raise the awareness of these was also acknowledged. The necessity to address the safety aspect of nanotechnologies has been acknowledged. Nanotechnologies deal with visualizing, characterizing and manufacturing tailored materials, devices and systems in the size of < = 100 nm. For this statement, it was agreed to focus on safety aspects of nanomaterials only. The ongoing work of intergovernmental and international organizations and relevant ongoing national and regional activities of governments and nongovernmental organizations were taken into account. It was agreed that current efforts to identify potential environmental, health and safety risks of manufactured nanomaterials have not yet been fully conclusive and therefore efforts need to be expanded and supported globally. Although recognising many national and regional activities dealing with manufactured nanomaterials, many countries lack comprehensive policy frameworks, despite rapid development. The lack of an inclusive global policy framework was also noted. The special vulnerability of groups like children, pregnant women and elderly people to manufactured nanomaterials is recognized and therefore the need to take appropriate safety measures to protect their health are emphasized. The need to ensure contributions of manufactured nanomaterials to sustainable development and pollution prevention to achieve the 2020 goal was emphasized. The necessity to adequately embed risk assessment and risk management strategies into work in this area was underlined. The requirement for research and research strategies to support better analysis of the potential risks on human health and the environment were acknowledged. The special needs and capacities of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to cope with manufactured nanomaterials were noted. In order to strive to achieve the minimization of risks of manufactured nanomaterials, the rights of countries to accept or reject manufactured nanomaterials was recognized.
The Forum recommends:
Governments and industry apply the precautionary principle as one of the general principles of risk management throughout the life cycle of manufactured nanomaterials. Governments and stakeholders initiate or continue dialogue to consider the potential benefits and risks of manufactured nanomaterials. Governments, intergovernmental and international organizations, universities, private sectors and other stakeholders make information on the use and risks associated with the life cycle of manufactured nanomaterials readily accessible to the general public in order to raise awareness and prepare it for informed decisions. The capacity of civil society be strengthened so that it may effectively take part in decision making related to manufactured nanomaterials. Researchers and academics increase knowledge necessary in evaluating effectively the potential risks of nanomaterials especially for particularly vulnerable groups, e.g. children, pregnant women and elderly people. Governments and industries continue to fill gaps in knowledge of risk assessment including the whole life cycle of manufactured nanomaterials under real world conditions. Industry involves workers and their representatives when developing occupational health and safety programs and measures, including risk assessment, selection of risk prevention measures and the surveillance of risks related to manufactured nanomaterials. Measures be taken to prevent or minimize exposure of workers and releases to environment, particularly for hazardous manufactured nanomaterials or where there is uncertainty around the environmental and human health impact of manufactured nanomaterials. Researchers employing manufactured nanomaterials cooperate with environment and health and safety experts and medical communities on existing and planned research programs. The international community continues to develop, fund, and share effective research strategies on potential risks to human health and the environment. Downstream users through the whole supply chain be informed about health and safety risks and novel characteristics of manufactured nanomaterials via Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or other means. Industry continues or initiates communications and awareness raising within their responsible stewardship programs on environmental and health and safety (occupational) aspects of manufactured nanomaterials including workplace monitoring and instigates further cooperative approaches between industry and other stakeholders. Governments and stakeholders promote and share safety information on manufactured nanomaterials. Countries and organizations establish partnerships, with consideration of financial support, to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition to build scientific, technical, legal, regulatory policy expertise related to the risks of manufactured nanomaterials. Governments according to their capacity, to cooperate in the preparation of national codes of conduct with inclusion of all stakeholders, and assisted by international organizations and evaluate the feasibility of developing global codes of conduct in a timely manner. Governments exchange relevant information on manufacturing nanomaterials while exploring the need for changes to current legislative frameworks. International Standards Organisation (ISO) expedites its ongoing development of clear definitions of manufactured nanomaterials including but not limited to size characteristics. Producers to provide appropriate information about the content of manufactured nanomaterials in order to inform consumers about potential risks through product labeling and, as appropriate, websites and databases. Governments, intergovernmental, international organizations and nongovernmental organizations, industry and other stakeholders support these recommendations. Intergovernmental organizations and other relevant organizations consider how they may assist governments to implement these recommendations. The second session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM2) consider these recommendations for further actions.

On 6th February 2006 at Dubai, SAICM ICCM 1 adopted the resolution I/3 on the relationship between SAICM and IFCS (Table 3; SAICM 2006b). While IFCS was never officially closed, and collaboration with the Forum was encouraged at ICCM1, the IFCS no longer exists in a de facto sense. Nonetheless, it serves as a valuable reminder of the early commitment to multi sector and multi stakeholder collaboration. It is encouraging to see discussions in the Beyond 2020 framework reaffirm these commitments.

Table 3. Resolution I/3 ‘Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety,’ adopted 2006 in Dubai by ICCM 1 (SAICM 2006b).

The Conference,
Recognizing the unique, multifaceted and significant role which the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety has played in the area of sound chemicals management at the international, regional and national levels,
1.Invites the Forum to continue its important role in providing an open, transparent and inclusive forum for discussing issues of common interest and also new and emerging issues, and to continue to contribute through this to the implementation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management and the work of other chemicals-related international organizations and institutions; 2.Requests the Strategic Approach secretariat to establish and maintain a working relationship with the Forum in order to draw upon its expertise.

4.2. SAICM and emerging policy issues

Adopted by the First International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM 1) on 6 February 2006 in Dubai, SAICM is a policy framework to promote chemical safety around the world (SAICM 2021a). SAICM was developed by a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral Preparatory Committee and supports the achievement of the 2020 goal agreed at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development.

SAICM's overall objective is the achievement of the sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle so that by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health. Table 4 shows the elements of SAICM.

Table 4. SAICM elements which were adopted 2006 in Dubai by ICCM 1.

Dubai Declaration on International Chemicals Management Overarching Policy Strategy with the following objectives: A. Risk reduction B. Knowledge and information C. Governance D. Capacity building and technical cooperation E. Illegal international traffic Global Plan of Action with a list of possible work areas and their associated activities, actors, targets/timeframes, indicators of progress and implementation aspects Resolutions on implementation arrangements, tribute to the Government of the United Arab Emirates, Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety, Quick Start Programme.

The Global Plan of Action is a large table, which contains 273 activities (status 2006). As an example, activity 210 is shown in Table 5.

Table 5. Activity 2010 as part of the SAICM Global Plan of Action.

Work areas	Activities	Actors	Targets/ Timeframe	Indicator of progress	Implementation aspects
Capacity building to support national actions	210. Promote the development of databases based on scientific assessment and the establishment of centres for the collection and exchange of information at the national, regional and international levels.	IOMC (The Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals)	2006–2010	Databases, chemical registers and data collection and information exchange centres are established in all countries.	Availability of methodologies; Training

Work area addressing capacity-building and technical cooperation (objective 4).

One of the functions of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) as identified in the SAICM Overarching Policy Strategy (paragraph 24.j) is to call for appropriate action on emerging policy issues as they arise and to forge consensus on priorities for cooperative action. So far, resolutions have been adopted on the following eight emerging policy issues and other issues of concern at ICCM2, ICCM3 and/or ICCM4, as shown in Table 6.

Table 6. Emerging policy issues (1–6) and Issues of concern (7 and 8) of SAICM.

Lead in paints Chemicals in products Hazardous substances within the life cycle of electrical and electronic products Nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials Endocrine-disrupting chemicals Environmentally persistent pharmaceutical pollutants Perfluorinated chemicals and the transition to safer alternatives Highly hazardous pesticides

Three resolutions were adopted on ‘Nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials’ at ICCM2 2009 in Geneva (Table 7), ICCM3 2012 in Nairobi (Table 8), and ICCM4 2015 in Geneva (Table 9), respectively. The resolutions recognize the needs to address identified concerns.

Table 7. Resolution II/4 emerging policy issues, E: Resolution of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, adopted by ICCM2 2009 in Geneva (SAICM 2009).

The Conference,

Recognizing that there are potential benefits and potential risks to human health and the environment associated with nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials,

Recognizing also that the development of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials should be consistent with the 2020 World Summit on Sustainable Development goals related to chemicals,

Recognizing further that the relevance of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials to national development needs to be appreciated by all countries;

1. Encourages Governments and other stakeholders to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition to enhance their capacity to use and manage nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials responsibly, to maximize potential benefits and to minimize potential risks; 2. Requests Governments and industry to promote appropriate action to safeguard human health and the environment, including for example through engagement with workers and their representatives; 3. Recognizes the role of regulatory, voluntary and partnership approaches in promoting the responsible management of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials throughout their life cycles; 4. Agrees that further research aimed at realizing the potential benefits and understanding better the potential risks to human health and the environment needs to be undertaken; 5. Invites Governments and intergovernmental, international and non-governmental organizations, the industry sector, the academic community and other stakeholders to work together on research in order to maximize synergies and understanding; 6. Recommends that Governments and other stakeholders begin or continue public dialogue on nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials and strengthen the capacity for such engagement by providing accessible information and channels of communication; 7. Encourages the wider dissemination of human health and environmental safety information in relation to products containing nanomaterials, while recognizing the need to protect confidential business information in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) of the Overarching Policy Strategy of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management; SAICM/ICCM.2/15 38 8. Requests Governments and intergovernmental, international and non-governmental organizations, including the private sector, subject to available resources: (a) To facilitate access to relevant information, realizing the needs of different stakeholders; (b) To share new information as it becomes available; (c) To use upcoming regional, subregional, national and other meetings to further increase understanding of such information, for example through the use of workshops if appropriate; 9. Invites Governments and other stakeholders to develop a report that focuses on nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials including, in particular, issues of relevance to developing countries and economies in transition, and to make the report available to the Open-ended Working Group at its first meeting and to the International Conference on Chemicals Management at its third session; 10. Invites relevant international organizations, including the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, other organizations participating in the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals and the International Organization for Standardization, to engage in dialogue with stakeholders with a view to gaining further understanding of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials; 11. Notes the role of existing information exchange systems such as the Strategic Approach website and its information clearing-house and that additional information exchange could be developed as appropriate.

Table 8. Resolution III/2 Emerging policy issues, E: Resolution of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, adopted by ICCM3 2012 in Nairobi (SAICM 2012a).

The Conference,
Mindful of the overarching goal articulated in paragraph 23 of the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development to ensure that by 2020 chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health,
Recalling the Dakar Statement on Manufactured Nanomaterials adopted by the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety at its sixth session,
Recalling also its resolution II/4 E on nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials,
Considering the specific needs of developing countries and countries with economies in transition,
Considering also the resolutions on nanotechnologies adopted by the group of African countries and the group of Latin American and Caribbean countries at their regional meetings held over the period 2009–2011,
Taking into account the continuing work of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals, its participating organizations and the International Organization for Standardization, including lessons learned on effective mechanisms for information exchange,
Welcoming the report on nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials prepared by the secretariat of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management for the Open-ended Working Group at its first meeting and the International Conference on Chemicals Management at its third session, in particular its conclusions recommending further actions to be taken under the Strategic Approach,
Encouraging the stakeholders to consider the need to address the environmentally sound management of manufactured nanomaterials in relevant international instruments, taking into consideration enhancing coordination and cooperation in the chemicals and waste cluster,
Underlines that the Strategic Approach provides a suitable framework for addressing nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials; Encourages all Strategic Approach stakeholders to facilitate information exchange on nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials in order to improve global transparency and allow better decision-making processes, noting that examples of such information might include risk assessments, risk reduction measures and information on environment, health and safety research; Recommends the development of international technical and regulatory guidance and training materials for the sound management of manufactured nanomaterials; Requests that all Strategic Approach stakeholders continue to support public dialogue on all aspects of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, including on the benefits and risks of manufactured nanomaterials throughout their life cycle; Invites relevant international organizations, including the participating organizations of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, to continue to support efforts to facilitate capacity-building information exchange, develop guidance and training materials and support public dialogue regarding nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials; Calls for industry to continue and enhance its stewardship role and responsibilities as manufacturers and suppliers of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, and to participate in and support, awareness-raising, information exchange and training activities, public dialogue and risk research; Invites the United Nations committees of experts on the transport of dangerous goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals to take into account the progress on international scientific work to review the applicability of the Globally Harmonized System criteria to manufactured nanomaterials and, if necessary, to prepare a workplan for adapting those criteria; Invites all stakeholders, in particular manufacturers and suppliers of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, to generate information on manufactured nanomaterials to facilitate their safe handling and use throughout their life cycle and to make that information available; Recommends that further pilot projects be developed at the national level to enhance stakeholder capacity for the sound management of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials; Also recommends that, where appropriate, intersessional activities identified in previous paragraphs related to manufactured nanomaterials include consideration of the full life cycle and occupational exposure; Invites the secretariat to report on progress on the implementation of the present resolution to Conference at its fourth

Table 9. Resolution IV/2 II existing emerging policy issues, D: Resolution of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, adopted by ICCM4 2015 in Geneva (SAICM 2015b).

The Conference,
Welcoming the continuing work of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals, its participating organizations and the International Organization for Standardization, including lessons learned on effective mechanisms for information exchange,
Welcoming and encouraging the continued work of the United Nations subcommittee on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals,
1. Reaffirms its resolutions II/4 E and III/2 E on nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials;
2. Welcomes the report on nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials prepared by the secretariat for the second meeting of the Open-ended Working Group and the fourth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management, and in particular its conclusions recommending further actions to be taken under the Strategic Approach;
3. Encourages Strategic Approach stakeholders to address the sound management of manufactured nanomaterials in relevant national and international instruments, including regulatory frameworks, adapted to take into account specific properties of manufactured nanomaterials, as appropriate, and taking into consideration the objective of enhancing coordination and cooperation in the chemicals and waste cluster;
4. Welcomes the establishment of regional networks focusing on the safety of nanomaterials and encourages all stakeholders to develop and implement regional cooperation mechanisms;
5. Emphasizes the need to continue facilitating the exchange of information on the sound management of manufactured nanomaterials throughout their life cycle, for example through an appropriate clearing house mechanism and regional networks;
6. Emphasizes the need for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to continue development of international guidance and training materials for the sound management of manufactured nanomaterials, drawing on existing initiatives, needs assessment and best practices, within their respective mandates and subject to available resources in cooperation with the regions and other relevant stakeholders;
7. Welcomes the proposed workplan for the period 2016–2020 in the note by the secretariat ;
8. Invites all stakeholders to continue to raise awareness and enhance capacity on the sound management of manufactured nanomaterials, paying particular attention to the situation and needs of developing countries and countries with economies in transition, including through regional consultations and e-learning courses;
9. Encourages Strategic Approach stakeholders to consider using the Guidance for the Development of a National Nanotechnology Policy and Programme developed by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and other relevant documents;

In light of these concerns, ‘Nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials’ was designated as an emerging policy issue already at the second session of the International Conference of Chemical Management ICCM 2 in 2009 in Geneva (SAICM 2009). The decision is based on the resolution adopted also at this conference (Table 7). Furthermore, the decision was confirmed by another nano resolution at ICCM 3 in 2012 (Table 8) and at ICCM 4 in 2015 (Table 9). The resolutions primarily aim to improve nano safety in developing countries through appropriate work programmes.

In addition, an amendment of the global plan of action was developed for work activities relating to the environmentally sound management of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials (Table 10; SAICM 2012a). A report about the project activities and outcomes in relation to the nano global plan of action GPA and related ICCM3 resolution text was presented at ICCM 4 in 2015 in Geneva (Table 11; SAICM 2015a).

Table 10. Appendix 1 of Table B of the GPA; Work activities relating to the environmentally sound management of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, adopted by ICCM3 2012 (SAICM 2012a).

Work areas addressing risk reduction (objective 1)
Contribute to the development, promotion and adoption of internationally recognized technical guidelines and harmonized standards relating to manufactured nanomaterials. Develop approaches to protect workers, the public and the environment from potential harm related to manufactured nanomaterials Increase the active involvement of the health sector to understand more fully possible short to long term occupational health impacts of manufactured nanomaterials.
Work areas addressing knowledge and information (objective 2)
Increase the understanding of the environmental, public and occupational health and safety implications, including risk assessment, of manufactured nanomaterials through coordination, support and/or funding for scientifically sound research. Enhance information and knowledge sharing on manufactured nanomaterials on international, national and regional policy and regulatory initiatives. Highlighting possible synergies with activities undertaken under activity 210 of the Global Plan of Action, explore the development of registers/inventories and/or market assessment activities of manufactured nanomaterials Promote the availability of information on the presence of manufactured nanomaterials within the product supply and use chain and throughout the life cycle, which could include possible labeling, consistent with relevant international obligations, and/or other forms of guidance relating to consumer products containing manufactured nanomaterials. Review the applicability of the GHS criteria for manufactured nanomaterials as well as how information on safe use should be included in MSDS.
Work areas addressing governance (objective 3)
Promote the development of country specific approaches incorporating lifecycle thinking to nanomaterials in existing national frameworks, policies, regulatory provisions, best practice guidelines and chemical management programmes. Promote producer responsibility for appropriate providing guidance on safe use of manufactured nanomaterials throughout the supply chain including the waste stage. Promote coordinated international, regional and national policy strategies regarding the opportunities and risks of nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials.
Work areas covering capacity-building and technical cooperation (objective 4)
Promote public and private sectors partnerships for the environmentally sound management of manufactured nanomaterials to assist , in particular, developing countries, small island developing states and countries with economies in transition to build building scientific, technical, and legal capacity.

Table 11. Project activities and outcomes in relation to the GPA, presented 2015 at ICCM4 in Geneva) (SAICM 2015a).

Approved GPA activity areas	Related ICCM3 resolution text	Project activities and outcomes
1. Contribute to the development, promotion and adoption of internationally recognized technical guidelines and harmonized standards relating to manufactured nanomaterials.	Recommends the development of international technical and regulatory guidance and training materials for the sound management of manufactured nanomaterials Invites relevant international organizations to continue to support efforts to facilitate capacity-building information exchange, develop guidance and training materials and support public dialogue regarding nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials	In March 2013, the OECD concluded the Sponsorship Programme for the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials. The Programme aimed to assess the applicability of existing methodologies for assessing the toxicity of manufactured nanomaterials, with 11 types of nanomaterials tested. The dossiers of the nanomaterials tested are available to the public. Work continues at OECD to ensure existing test guidelines are adequate to address nanomaterials or, if needed, to develop new or adapted nano-specific test guidelines. OECD has been looking at risk assessment and existing regulatory programmes with the aim to: (1) identify regulatory needs for the risk assessment and risk management of manufactured nanomaterials; and (2) develop risk assessment approaches to strengthen and enhance regulatory risk assessment capacity. To support country-driven processes on nano, UNITAR has developed a guidance document entitled “Developing a National Nanotechnology Policy and Programme”, available in English, Russian and Spanish. In 2013, FAO and WHO released a technical paper entitled: ‘State of the art on the initiatives and activities relevant to risk assessment and risk management of nanotechnologies in the food and agriculture sectors.’ The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), consistent with the Dakar Statement on Manufactured Nanomaterials, has undertaken significant work in the area of nanotechnologies, publishing standards that include: ‘Methodology for the classification and categorization of nanomaterials’ (Technical report); ‘Health and safety practices in occupational settings relevant to nanotechnologies’ (Technical Report); ‘Guidance on voluntary labelling for consumer products containing manufactured nano-objects’ (Technical Specification). As per ISO working practices, all such standards will be reviewed after five years, if not before. UNITAR and OECD follow the work of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s sub-committee on Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling. The sub-committee has begun a ‘Review of applicability of GHS to nanomaterials,’ with an informal correspondence group collecting data from nanomaterials and performing a classification exercise. The sub-committee met in June/ July 2015, noting that France had initiated a classification exercise of some selected manufactured nanomaterials at national level with a possible proposal of a harmonised classification at EU level for one of them. Furthermore, they also noted the update provided by Finland on the classification for environmental hazards made by the correspondence group. The expert from France informed the sub-committee that he intended to organize a teleconference for the correspondence group on nanomaterials by the end of September or in October 2015.
2. Develop approaches to protect workers, the public and the environment from potential harm related to manufactured nanomaterials. 3. Increase the active involvement of the health sector in order to enhance understanding of possible short-term to long-term occupational health impacts of manufactured nanomaterials. 4. Increase understanding of the environmental, public and occupational health and safety implications, including risk assessment, of manufactured nanomaterials through coordination, support and/or funding for scientifically sound research.		WHO has started a process to develop Guidelines on ‘Protecting Workers from Potential Risks of Manufactured Nanomaterials.’ The chair of the WHO group developing these guidelines provides services to UNITAR as a senior expert and will attend all three nanosafety workshops organised by UNITAR and OECD. Three regional workshops in 2015 on nanosafety shared experiences of researchers in the field of nano, to increase understanding among regional counterparts. Work on exposure measurement and exposure mitigation continues to be a strong area for OECD work, in which delegations exchange information on (or develop) guidance for exposure measurement and mitigation. The following areas are currently being completed: (1) Exposure assessment: Case studies on nano-silver and nano-gold; (2) Assessment of biodurability of nanomaterials and their surface ligands; (3) Harmonised tiered approach to measure and assess the airborne exposure to engineered nano-objects in the workplace; and (4) measurement of manufactured nanomaterials in air.
5. Enhance information and knowledge sharing on manufactured nanomaterials regarding international, national and regional policy and regulatory initiatives. 6. Highlighting possible synergies with activities undertaken under activity 210 of the Global Plan of Action, explore the development of registers/inventories and/or market assessment activities relating to manufactured nanomaterials.	Encourages facilitating the exchange of information in order to improve transparency and allow better decision making processes Invites relevant international organizations to continue to support efforts to facilitate capacity-building information exchange, develop guidance and training materials and support public dialogue regarding nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials	OECD publishes, every nine months, a document summarising national activities in OECD Member countries as well as in non-member economies participating in the work. This document also includes information on work undertaken by other international organisation, notably those of the IOMC and UNECE, as well as on international activities related to nanomaterials and nanotechnologies, such as those from ISO TC 229. UNITAR and OECD has organised three regional workshops on nanosafety, sharing experiences in each region and defining needs and priorities up to 2020. UNITAR shares information on nano and has uploaded to its website all available documents from the nanosafety workshops. OECD recently published the Guidance Manual towards the Integration of Risk Assessment into Life Cycle Assessment of Nano-Enabled Applications, which places particular attention on multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Another project under this area was the publication of Nanotechnology and Tyres: Greening Industry and Transport. Bothe documents are available free of charge.
7. Promote the availability of information on the presence of manufactured nanomaterials within the product supply and use chain and throughout product life cycles, which could include possible labelling, consistent with relevant international obligations, and/or other forms of guidance relating to consumer products containing manufactured nanomaterials.	Requests the continued support of public dialogue on all aspects of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, including on the benefits and risks of manufactured nanomaterials throughout their life cycles; Also recommends that, where appropriate, intersessional activities identified in previous paragraphs related to manufactured nanomaterials include consideration of their full life cycles and occupational exposure	UNITAR ran its nano e-learning course over two sessions in 2014 for all interested stakeholders to enhance information exchange on hazards and risks of nanomaterials.
8. Review the applicability of the GHS criteria for manufactured nanomaterials as well as how information on safe use should be included in SDS.	Invites the United Nations committees of experts on the transport of dangerous goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals to take into account the progress on international scientific work to review the applicability of the Globally Harmonized System criteria to manufactured nanomaterials and, if necessary, to prepare a workplan for adapting those criteria	The GHS Sub-Committee has begun a process for a ‘Review of the applicability of GHS to nanomaterials.’ An informal correspondence group (ICG) has been created. The IGC is collecting data from some examples of nanomaterial substances and performing a classification exercise.
9. Promote public awareness-raising activities on manufactured nanomaterials in all regions. 10. Promote the development of country-specific approaches, incorporating life cycle thinking, to nanomaterials in existing national frameworks, policies, regulatory provisions, best practice guidelines and chemical management programmes.	Recommends the development of further pilot projects at the national level to enhance stakeholder capacity for the sound management of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials	The 2015 round of nanosafety workshops organised by UNITAR and OECD served to enhance the public awareness of nano, by bringing together nano experts from the regions, and government and NGO representatives. UNITAR has started a second round of pilot projects in Armenia, Jordan and Vietnam. Project outcomes thus far have identified the need to coordinate academic research with government stakeholders and the establishment of nano working groups to facilitate work on nanosafety issues. Armenia has so far held its inception workshop and awareness raising training. Main conclusions so far: stakeholder discussions on nano safety have identified priority areas, including a lack of a relevant law on chemicals that would regulate nano materials throughout the life cycle, as well as the differentiated responsibilities of stakeholders. There is a lack of systems for identification of nanomaterials and the labelling on packaging, and no standards for nano usage and disposal. State officials and the population are unaware of the implications for human health and the environment. Armenia is currently developing a roadmap to address these issues. Vietnam has performed several activities during the nano project, including expert group meetings to exchange more information. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) in cooperation with experts has also conducted several surveys on the research practices and applications of nanotechnology in Vietnam. Based on the results of information review, surveys and practical assessments, overall assessments of research, development and usage of nano in Vietnam have been developed. To support information sharing with public interest groups, the experts have provided the media with detailed information on nano-related characteristics of the research and commercial products. However, it has been observed that information on nano is not managed systematically with public dissemination in mind. It has been recognized that policies and regulation on nano are still lacking. Infrastructure for nano is also very limited. In 2015, the PCD in cooperation with the expert group has worked to identify priority areas for actions on nano in Vietnam, specifically nanosafety. As such, a national policy recommendation on nanosafety management for the Vietnamese Government is being developed. Jordan is launching its inception workshop in August 2015. OECD has been looking at disposal and treatment technologies of manufactured nanomaterials. A survey was done within the Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) to identify the state of the art regarding waste and nano. The OECD Working Group on Resources Productivity and Waste produced four documents related to waste containing nanomaterials (WCNMs) on four waste treatment processes of: (1) recycling; (2) incineration; (3) wastewater treatment; and (4) landfilling. The purpose of these papers was to identify the current state of knowledge on the fate and impacts of WCNMs in end-of-life treatment processes. The documents are expected to be published by the end of 2015.
11. Promote producer responsibility for providing appropriate guidance on safe use of manufactured nanomaterials throughout the supply chain, including the waste stage.	Calls for members of industry to continue and enhance their stewardship role and responsibilities as manufacturers and suppliers of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials and to participate in and support awareness-raising, information exchange, training activities, public dialogue and risk research; Invites all stakeholders, in particular manufacturers and suppliers of nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials, to generate information on manufactured nanomaterials to facilitate their safe handling and use throughout their life cycles and to make that information available	Uruguay, under a UNITAR phase 1 nanosafety pilot project, produced a report on sustainable management of waste containing nanomaterials. As part of the UNITAR guidance document, there is a section on worker health and safety, including an example of a list of protective measures for workers.
12. Promote coordinated international, regional and national policy strategies regarding the opportunities and risks of nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials.		The Thai Government, under a UNITAR phase 1 nanosafety pilot project, has approved the National Nanotechnology Policy Framework and a five-year ‘National Nanosafety and Nanoethics Strategic Plan’ to ensure sustainable development of nanotechnology. This plan was jointly developed by key stakeholders and aligned with the current National Chemical Management Plan. In July 2013, FAO and the WHO developed and finalised a technical paper entitled ‘State of the art on the initiatives and activities relevant to risk assessment and risk management of nanotechnologies in the food and agriculture sectors.’
13. Promote public and private sectors partnerships for the environmentally sound management of manufactured nanomaterials to assist countries, in particular developing countries, small island developing States and countries with economies in transition, to build scientific, technical, and legal capacity.		All national-level projects organized by UNITAR must include a broad range of stakeholders, consistent with the founding principles of SAICM and as a central part of activities. NANOTEC in Thailand is utilising its experiences and expertise from the phase one pilot projects to assist Vietnam with its phase two pilot project.

4.3. SAICM post 2020 and emerging policy issues/issues of concern

SAICM ICCM 4 decided to initiate an intersessional process to prepare recommendations regarding the SAICM and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 (SAICM 2015b), which created a lot of momentum. Intersessional meetings took place 2017 in Brasilia, 2018 in Stockholm and October 2019 in Bangkok.

The United Nations Environment Assembly UNEA of the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP adopted on the 15 March 2019 the resolution 4/8 on the sound management of chemicals and waste (UNEP 2019) and invited the third meeting of the SAICM open-ended working group OEWG 3 (April 2019 in Montevideo Uruguay) to prepare a resolution for ICCM5 about a SAICM post 2020 follow up process. But then came the pandemic, Covid-19 stopped this process and the forth Intersessional Process Meeting (planned for 2020 in Bucharest) and ICCM5 (planned for 2020 in Bonn) were postponed for over 2 years.

The SAICM Bureau wanted to restart this process and to gain momentum again. They created four virtual working groups (VWGs) and organized from November 2020 to February 2021 21 online meetings (English only):

Virtual working group 1 “Targets, indicators and milestones”;

Virtual working group 2 “Governance and implementation”;

Virtual working group 3 “Issues of concern”;

Virtual working group 4 “Financial considerations”.

The SAICM topic ‘Emerging policy issue’ corresponds to ‘Issues of concern’ in the SAICM post 2020 context, which was discussed in the Virtual working group 3. The virtual working group 3 had the following mandate:

Develop proposals for draft procedures for the identification, nomination, selection, review and prioritization of the issues of concern; determining the need for further work on an issue of concern; and duration for considering issues of concern, drawing on experience.

This mandate is on the process only, which is completely different from the SAICM Global Plan of action, which is on substance.

The VWG3 proposed the following definition (SAICM 2021b):

An issue of concern is an issue involving any phase in the life cycle of chemicals and which has not yet been generally recognized, is insufficiently addressed or arises from the current level of scientific information and which may have significant adverse effects on human health and/or the environment.

However, the status of the texts resulting from the virtual working groups was not clear in 2021, since negotiations were not allowed during the virtual online meetings. Delegates from countries with bad internet facilities are in disadvantage compared to delegates from industrial countries with high speed internet. In 2021 is was not clear, if theses texts from the virtual working groups can serve as a basis for further physical negotiations.

5. Discussion and conclusions

The safety of manufactured nanomaterials in many industrial countries is meanwhile covered by mainstream chemicals regulation (Karlaganis et al. 2019). Other countries have not yet adopted legally binding nanoregulation, but have taken other measures to increase the safety of nanomaterials. Suitable instruments are recommendations, road maps or action plans. These countries have a role as model function and act as regional lighthouses. One such example is Thailand, which has adopted already in 2012 the Nanosafety and Ethics Strategic plan and has a long experience of its implementation. .

Many intergovernmental organisations have been involved in improving the safety of nanomaterials over the last two decades, these are (in alphabetical order) the Basel Convention, ECOSOC, FAO, ILO, IOMC, ISO, OECD, SAICM, UNEP, UNESCO, UNITAR, WHO (see Karlaganis and Liechti 2013).

SAICM is an ideal platform to discuss the safety of nanomaterials, because it is a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approach. ICCM2 recognised already in 2009 nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials as an Emerging Policy Issue because it met the criteria required by SAICM. It is therefore not necessary to repeat this evaluation process again. An amendment of the global plan of action for the environmentally sound management of manufactured nanomaterials was adopted at ICCM 3 in 2012. The Global Plan of Action is a concrete proposal on substance with activities, actors, time frame and indicators of progress.

The SAICM post 2020 negotiations were initiated in 2015, were in the beginning rather slow and general and focused on process and not on substance. At the beginning of the SAICM post-2020 negotiations, all participants thought that there was enough time to successfully conclude the negotiations in Bonn in 2020. No one anticipated the years of delays caused by the pandemic. The target year 2020 was missed.

The SAICM ICCM.5 Bureau asked for a legal opinion whether SAICM automatically ends in 2020 based on the ICCM4 resolutions. While the achievement ‘of the 2020 goal’ is expressly referenced in Decision IV/1, the activities requested from the Secretariat are for the consideration of the Conference at its 5th session. No specific date is mentioned. Consequently, SAICM does not end, based upon ICCM 4 resolutions, and reporting is due at ICCM 5, without any specific date being set (SAICM 2021c).

In 2022, it was still difficult to predict how and when the negotiation process would resume. SAICM is a success story. It can therefore be assumed that the political will is there to resume the negotiations soon and bring them to a successful conclusion.

In conclusion, the safety of nanomaterials has been discussed by IFCS since 2006 and recognised as an Emerging Policy Issue by SAICM in 2009. Since then, nanosafety has been addressed in many SAICM workshops and conferences. This has improved awareness of nanosafety worldwide. In some countries, such as Thailand, policy and ethics plans have been adopted, which serve as a model for other countries. However, there is still much to be done. Many countries have not yet done anything to implement nanosafety nationally. Therefore, it is important to continue the emerging policy issue of nanosafety in the SAICM post-2020 context as an Issue of Concern without having to go through an elaborate evaluation process beforehand.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare there is no conflict of interest related to this research work.