Latin America unites to promote national management of chemicals

The Latin American Regulatory Cooperation Forum (LARCF), coordinated with the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), published the Roadmap for the Rational Management of Industrial Chemical Substances and Products in late April 2021. The project involved government representatives, industrial associations, and industries from 11 countries in Latin America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, and Peru.

The document provides an overview of the basic elements that compose the rational management of chemical substances. It includes and step-by-step approach to develop a national plan for chemical management, further implement GHS standards, establish a chemical inventory, and perform risk evaluation and prioritization. This roadmap presents increased interest in the region to enhance its chemical management system. Another chemical initiative in the region is UNEP’s Action Plan 2021-2024 for Latin America and the Caribbean.

This document can be seen as increased regional cooperation and engagement on chemical management system. More detailed national regulations for chemicals can be expected in Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru in the near future.

The importance of the document surpasses the proposed activities, it shows the true national-regional engagement in adopting safer policies for chemicals. A gradual implementation of national regulation for chemicals is expected since six countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru) are elaborating their future national chemical legislation in the region.

Last update: 2021-05-20