UNEP Chemicals Branch
The Chemicals Branch works towards making the world a safer place from toxic chemicals by helping governments take needed global actions for the sound management of chemicals, by promoting the exchange of information on chemicals, and by helping to build the capacities of countries around the world to use chemicals safely.
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS)
POPs are chemicals that persist, bioaccumulate in plants and animals, are transported long distances in the environment, and are toxic to people. The UNEP Chemicals Branch work on POPs facilitates the negotiations of a legally binding international instrument on POPs and promotes the early reduction and elimination of releases of POPs into the environment through information exchange and capacity building programmes.
OzonAction Branch
Under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, countries worldwide are taking specific, time-targeted actions to reduce and eliminate the production and consumption of man-made chemicals that destroy the stratospheric ozone layer, Earth’s protective shield.
GEF Reduction of Persistent Organic Pollutants
In May 2001, governments adopted the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and named the GEF as the Convention's interim financial mechanism, pending entry into force of the Convention. In October 2002, the GEF Assembly approved the addition of POPs as a new focal area.
Global Mercury Assessment
This website supports the process to develop a global assessment of mercury and its compounds, including an outline of options for addressing any significant global adverse impacts of mercury.
Implementation of Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)
The Governing Council of UNEP has requested the Executive Director, as a matter of high priority, to make appropriate provision for the implementation of UNEP’s responsibilities under SAICM and to make provision for activities to support developing countries and countries with economies in transition in implementing the strategic approach to international chemicals management, taking into account the Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity-building.
Lead and Cadmium Activities
UNEP is developing reviews of scientific information on lead and cadmium, focusing especially on long-range environmental transport, as requested by the UNEP Governing Council, in order to inform future discussions of the Governing Council on the possible need for global action in relation to these two heavy metals.
Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles Clearing-house
UNEP is the clearing-house for the global Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles, launched by World Summit partners in September 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
Chemicals Information Exchange Network
The Chemical Information Exchange Network (CIEN) is a network of people involved in the management of chemicals.
Trade Names of Chemical Products Containing Ozone Depleting Substances and their Alternatives
The service Trade Names of Chemical Products containing ozone depleting substances and their alternatives is designed to help customs officials and National Ozone Units control imports and exports of ozone depleting substances (ODS) and prevent their illegal trade. It is a worldwide database of the commercial trade names of chemical products containing ODS controlled under the Montreal Protocol and their alternatives.
Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land Based Activities (GPA)
The GPA aims at preventing the degradation of the marine environment from land-based activities by facilitating the duty of States to preserve and protect the marine environment.
