UN Agency Hails Global Framework to Reduce Chemical Risks and Protect Workers
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has applauded the adoption of a new Global Framework aimed at minimizing environmental and health hazards associated with chemicals and waste. The Framework, supported by a High-Level Declaration, lays out concrete targets and guidelines covering the entire life cycle of chemicals, including the phased elimination of some of the most harmful substances.
The ILO has been instrumental in shaping the Global Framework since 2006, working alongside governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations to regulate the use of hazardous chemicals in the workplace. To date, 22 international labor standards have been developed to manage these risks effectively.
A significant aspect of the Framework is its recognition of the Just Transition principle, which emphasizes the need for a shift to an environmentally sustainable economy accompanied by the sound management of chemicals and waste. This transition aligns with the objectives of promoting decent work, social inclusion, human rights protection, and poverty eradication.
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo expressed enthusiasm about this important development, noting that the widespread use of hazardous chemicals has adverse effects on workers’ safety and health, as well as on the general public and the environment. He emphasized how prioritizing the responsible management of chemicals and waste, within the context of a just transition, can safeguard workers, foster the growth of green economies, and generate decent employment opportunities.
Tragically, hazardous substances claim the lives of approximately 1.1 million workers worldwide each year, equivalent to around 2,900 deaths per day. Moreover, toxic chemical exposures lead to the loss of millions of workdays due to disability, illness, or premature death. The economic toll of these impacts is estimated to equate to 2.1% of global GDP. Given the escalating use of chemical substances and increasing life expectancies, it is projected that the scope and cost of these repercussions will continue to rise.
In addition to codifying best practices for chemical and waste management, the Framework’s 28 targets seek to strengthen connections with other global development agendas, including climate change, biodiversity, human rights, and occupational safety and health. It underscores that a safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and right at work, thereby necessitating the protection of all workers. The integration of workplace measures and policies, alongside the ratification and implementation of relevant international labor standards, should be central to chemical and waste management endeavors.
The Framework was adopted during the fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), organized by the United Nations in Bonn, Germany.
By embracing this Global Framework, nations are demonstrating their commitment to safeguarding workers, the environment, and public health from the perils posed by hazardous chemicals. The ILO welcomes this significant step towards creating a healthier, safer, and more sustainable future for all.
