SL among 12 shortlisted countries for Future Policy Award on Protection from Hazardous Chemicals

Sri Lanka is among 12 countries shortlisted for the Future Policy Award 2021 on Protection from Hazardous Chemicals. The award celebrates the most effective policy solutions that minimise the adverse effects of exposure to chemicals on human health and the environment. Twelve policies from five continents are the top candidates for the award. In total, 55 policies from 36 countries were nominated. 

An international expert jury convened to deliberate on the top candidates. The annual award, often referred to as the Oscar on Best Policies, is the first and only award that celebrates policies for the benefit of present and future generations on an international level. 

The prize is awarded by the World Future Council and is organised this year in partnership with the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP), the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)future-policy-award-2021-about-the-shortlisted-policies, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The following policies have been shortlisted this year (per category):

Chemicals Across the Lifecycle

• India, Rajasthan: Policy on Pneumoconiosis including Silicosis Detection, Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation (2019)
• Kyrgyzstan: Resolution No. 43 on Approval of the Chemical Hazard Classification System and Hazard Information Requirements - Labelling and Safety Data Sheet (2015)
• Republic of Korea: Consumer Chemical Products and Biocides Safety Act (2018)
• Sweden, Stockholm County Council: Phase-Out List for Chemicals Hazardous to the Environment and Human Health (2012-2016, revised for 2017-2021)
• USA, Massachusetts: Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA, 1989, amended 2006)
• Highly Hazardous Pesticides
• • Cuba: Programme for Agroecological Pest Management (MAP, 1993) and National Plan for Food and Nutrition Security (Plan SAN, 2020)
• Denmark: Action Plans on Pesticides (PAP, 2013-2021) and Organic Action Plans to Promote Organic Production in Denmark (OAP, 2011-2020)
• Sri Lanka: Control of Pesticides Act No. 33 (1980, amended in 1994, 2011, 2020) and  National Policy and Action Plan on Prevention of Suicide (1997)
• Lead in Paint
• Ethiopia: Lead in Paint Control Regulation No. 429 (2018)
• Philippines: Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds (CCO, 2013-24)
• Environmentally Persistent Pharmaceutical Pollutants
• Colombia: Resolution 371 Establishing the Elements to be considered in the Management Plans for the Return of Pharmaceutical Products and Expired Medicines (2009)
• The Netherlands: Chain Approach to Pharmaceutical Residues in Water Implementation Programme (2018-2022).

In early July, the winners will be announced. On 6 July, the winning policies of the Future Policy Award 2021 will be celebrated with a high-level virtual award ceremony. 

The World Health Organization has estimated the burden of disease from exposure to selected chemicals at 1.6 million lives in 2016. There is growing concern about the long-term health effects of exposure to harmful chemicals and waste, which include various forms of cancer, reproductive disorders, learning disabilities, and other adverse health impacts.

Costs from neurobehavioural deficits caused by exposure to certain chemicals are estimated to be more than $ 170 billion per year in the European Union alone.   

Estimates are that there are over 140,000 human-made chemicals in the world. Though many of these chemicals are in commerce, many of them have never been properly tested for safety. Particularly problematic are chemicals that end up in our environment – in water bodies, soil or air, in the food chain or in drinking water – or that accumulate in our bodies or other organisms. Hazardous chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), phthalates, heavy metals such as lead, pesticides, and environmentally persistent pharmaceutical pollutants, can cause irreversible harm to the health of humans, fauna, flora, and ecosystems.

“The unsound management of chemicals and waste comes with an enormous economic price tag. Urgent regulatory action is needed to save taxpayers’ money and safeguard health and critical environmental resources, especially as the chemical industry is expected to grow,” said OECD Deputy Secretary-General Masamichi Kono. “We need ambitious and impactful policies, such as the ones shortlisted for the Future Policy Award 2021, to stop the adverse impact on health and the environment and to move towards sustainable chemistry.”

“Hazardous chemicals are a complex challenge,” UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Nikhil Seth pointed out. “Their management is a cross-cutting issue of the Agenda 2030. Chemical safety and the management of toxic chemicals touch many, if not all, of the Sustainable Development Goals. I truly applaud the shortlisted policies of the Future Policy Award 2021 for translating this critical issue into concrete action.”

“Every day our rights are violated by the exposure to toxic chemicals and pollution. Especially children are disproportionally affected,” remarked World Future Council Executive Director Alexandra Wandel. “For the sake of current and future generations, it is absolutely critical that stakeholders make the protection from hazardous chemicals a priority. We are very much looking forward to bring effective policies in this field to a world stage.”