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international chemical management & regulation

ACC supports coordination of government and private resources to enhance the safe production, transport and use of chemical products around the world. ACC supports harmonizing various government and industry chemical evaluation initiatives and, when conducting initial hazard assessments, grouping chemicals with similar characteristics in order to reduce duplication of testing.

Contact: Tiffany Harrington
Phone: 703-741-5583

The business of chemistry is a global industry. The American Chemistry Council (ACC) supports coordination of government and private resources to enhance the safe production, transport and use of chemical products around the world. ACC supports harmonizing various government and industry chemical evaluation initiatives and, when conducting initial hazard assessments, grouping chemicals with similar characteristics in order to reduce duplication of testing. An example is the International Council of Chemical Associations’ (ICCA) global initiative on High Production Volume (HPV) chemicals launched in 1998.

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Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH)
ACC strongly supports the objective of protecting the health of humans and the environment. The chemical industry continues to demonstrate its commitment to this objective by investing heavily in research and development and the application of improved technologies. Although the European Commission has attempted to address some concerns raised with the original proposal, ACC considers that the revised version continues to be unworkable, impractical, costly and burdensome, with no commensurate benefit in health, safety or environmental protections. Moreover, over 30 governments in the World Trade Organization have raised concerns about the trade and competitive impact of REACH.

Should you wish to inquire about potential data necessary to support chemical registration under REACH that was sponsored through ACC, please submit a request.

Global Product Strategy (GPS)
ACC is fully committed to the Global Product Strategy (GPS) that was launched in February 2006 by the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA). The GPS is designed to strengthen the industry’s product stewardship performance by setting consistent expectations for company product stewardship programs throughout the ICCA associations globally and by routinely measuring progress.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
ACC supports the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC). The agreements are the result of a significant U.S. negotiating effort. Unfortunately, the U.S. Congress has not ratified the treaties. Legislation introduced by Cong. Paul Gillmor, R-OH (H.R. 4591) will go to a vote in the Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee on May 18, 2006, which will hopefully spark full Congressional action on the treaties. It is essential that the United States join the international community in ratifying these agreements, because decisions are being made by the parties that will shape the future direction of these treaties, without the U.S. having a vote.

Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Advocacy (SAICM)
Global discussions to develop a strategic approach to international chemicals management were called for at the World Summit for Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002. The Plan of Implementation adopted at that meeting provided that the objective for SAICM, is to achieve the goal that “by 2020 chemicals are used and produced in ways that lead to the minimization of significant adverse effects on health and the environment.” 

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