Support for the Promotion of Appropriate Chemicals Management

In recent years, the market for chemicals and chemical products has expanded rapidly due to economic globalization. Concurrently, concerns about the effects of their manufacture and use on human health and the environment have been growing, leading to stricter regulations and management on chemicals in many countries and the promotion and harmonization of international regulations and management, mainly by the United Nations and the OECD.

OECC promotes appropriate chemicals management in Japan and other countries – especially developing countries – taking into account the initiatives of international organizations such as the UN and other countries in Europe, the USA and other regions. Specifically, OECC provides support for improving the level of understanding of chemicals management and enhancing the capability of industries and other concerned parties to respond to initiatives in foreign countries on chemical management. In addition, OECC supports the harmonization and establishment of systems in Asian countries and supports the development of chemicals management policies in Japan for harmonization with international efforts.

 

Support for the Improvement of the Level of Understanding Chemical Management and the Enhancement of the Capability of Industries, etc. to Respond to Initiatives in Foreign Countries on Chemical Management

The Network for Strategic Response on International Chemical Management was established in 2007, mainly by the Ministry of the Environment, relevant ministries and agencies involved in chemicals management, chemical companies and various other stakeholders in Japan. The Network is promoting activities aimed to improve the level of understanding chemical management; to enhance the capability of industries and other concerned parties to respond to initiatives in foreign countries on chemical management; and to accelerate the effort for international harmonization.

OECC has been in charge of the secretariat of the Network from its establishment to the present and has conducted surveys on trends in chemicals management in Japan and other countries, including the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL) in Japan, the REACH and CLP Regulations in the EU and the TSCA in the US. OECC also organizes seminars for industries, officials and other stakeholders in Japan, and also distributes e-newsletters with information on chemicals management trends and regulations in Japan and other countries.

Network for Strategic Response on International Chemical Management (MOEJ website)

 

Support for Institutional Harmonization and Capacity Development on Chemicals Chemical Management in Asian Countries

The appropriate chemical management systems in the Asian region, including Japan, are important for preventing human health and environmental pollution. In addition, consistency of chemicals management policies in each country is required for industries that manufacture and import chemicals. For this reason, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan organizes the Tripartite Policy Dialogue on Chemical Management among China, Japan and Korea every year to promote coordination and cooperation in chemicals management policies in the three countries.

OECC has supported the establishment of chemicals management systems in the Asian region, specifically Vietnam and Indonesia. Since 2010, OECC has supported the Ministry of the Environment, Japan as the secretariat for the Tripartite Policy Dialogue on Chemical Management to promote the coordination and cooperation in chemicals management policies in the three countries through information, opinion exchange and joint research on chemicals ecotoxicity testing.

OECC will continue to support the Japanese Government and industries in the post-SAICM framework.

 

Minamata Convention – Information on Japan’s Efforts in Appropriate Mercury Management

The toxicity of mercury to the human body has become scientifically clear following the history of pollution associated with it. In October 2013, the Minamata Convention on Mercury was adopted at a diplomatic meeting held in Minamata City, Japan, and entered into force in August 2017. The Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions of mercury and its compounds and provides for the comprehensive and appropriate management and reduction of mercury emissions in the production, use and disposal processes.

In cooperation with the United Nations, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan and local governments, OECC actively disseminates information on efforts to combat mercury, provides technical cooperation with partner countries and conducts public awareness, environmental education and information dissemination in Japan.

 

Assistance in Dissemination of Mercury Control Technologies

In 2023, UNEP held a workshop and a technical advisory meeting in Minamata City for government officials in charge of mercury control in partner countries as part of the project to promote the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. OECC participated in this event in cooperation with UNEP, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, and Minamata City. The current needs and issues faced by each partner country were identified during the group discussions and will be adapted to the project to better fit each partner country’s context. Furthermore, the outcomes of the discussions will be used to establish a domestic system for sustainable mercury control after the completion of the project and to strengthen mercury monitoring and analysis capacity in the partner countries. The results of the workshop will be utilized in future engagements.

 

Environmental Education on Mercury – For the World and the Next Generation

The Ministry of the Environment, Japan, under the Minamata Convention, has been working to promote understanding of the Minamata Convention and strengthen global and future generation action in order to share the commitment not to repeat the health hazards and environmental degradation experienced by the Minamata disease outbreak. OECC is supporting these efforts. For example, in FY2022, OECC supported a Youth Dialogue in which Japanese and international high school students jointly exchanged opinions on mercury issues and the preparation of teaching materials to explain the background and significance of the Minamata Convention. Further, problem-solving on mercury issues was undertaken using worksheets by Japanese high schools that have incorporated the consideration of mercury issues – including school trips to Minamata.

Mercury issues are closely related not only to the environment, but also to poverty and gender issues as set forth in the SDGs. The next generation of education on mercury in Japan, currently led by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, is expected to be expanded to include presentations and discussions at meetings organized by international youth organizations, leading to further action in the future.

 

Example Activities of Mercury Information Dissemination by the Youth

As part of the FY2022 projects conducted by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, OECC produced a video in which junior high school students in Minamata City acted as reporters to disseminate information about the efforts of the Minamata City Clean Center. The Center has been implementing an advanced waste separation system and the video captured its significance and the great enthusiasm of the local residents. In addition, as part of their independent research activities, high school students in Minamata City produced message slides to convey the importance of proper mercury management to the younger generation. The message delivers their hope to “Never Repeat the Minamata Disease Again.” In the process, they also participated in an international dialogue with high school students from Slovenia and the Philippines who are also facing mercury problems. They made presentations and exchanged opinions with each other whilst we reaffirmed the importance of continuously contributing to the future improvement of the environment.