Design and Development of an Inventory of Chemical Substances in Mexico General Bureau of Urban and Regional Pollution Research Bureau 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

SEMARNAT DGGIMAR Participates 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 Mexico Main substance groups involved in emergencies Reporting 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,

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?

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

Inventory Contents Substance 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 categorization priorities 2,600 medium priorities 500 high priorities 1,200 low priorities 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 agencies  Industry  Academia  NGOs Workshops: National / Regional Required actions

Analysis of legal framework - Chemical substances database - Categorization exercise – national priorities - Information transfer protocols - Chemicals inventory structure (dynamic) - Ability to meet international commitments - Analysis of legal framework - Chemical substances database - Categorization exercise – national priorities - Information transfer protocols - Chemicals inventory structure (dynamic) - Ability to meet international commitments PRODUCTS

Activities Preparation of workplan – strategies activities Consultant identification-profile-reliability Agreements Ongoing communication with SMOC working group Analysis of legal framework – review of legal instruments Sharing experience in North America Collection of preliminary information – categorization method Design of information transfer protocols Inventory integration – sustainable system – dynamic instrument System testing Communication – workshops

National Workshops and Consultations Representation of national actors Establishment of consensus priorities Support for implementation and ongoing operation Establishment of multi-sector agreements and commitments

Communication of results Regional workshop June 2009 Sharing experiences with Latin America & the Caribbean Communication with international community Communication of results Regional workshop June 2009 Sharing experiences with Latin America & the Caribbean Communication with international community

Thank you very much.