Design and Development of an Inventory of Chemical Substances in Mexico

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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

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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

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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

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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, 2008-2010
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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
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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

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What is a chemicals inventory?

• 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

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ObjectivesTo 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
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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.

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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

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Management of chemicals under CEPA 1999

• 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.

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Results of the establishment of 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.

500 high priorities
4,300 categorization priorities
2,600 medium priorities
1,200 low priorities
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• 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

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Required actions

• 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

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- Analysis of legal framework - Chemical
substances database- Categorization exercise
national priorities- Information transfer
protocols- Chemicals inventory structure
(dynamic)- Ability to meet international
commitments
PRODUCTS
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Activities
Preparation of workplan strategies activities
Consultant identification-profile-reliabilityAgr
eements Ongoing communication with SMOC working
group Analysis of legal framework review of
legal instrumentsSharing experience in North
America Collection of preliminary information
categorization methodDesign of information
transfer protocols Inventory integration
sustainable system dynamic instrumentSystem
testing Communication workshops
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National Workshops and Consultations
Representation of national actorsEstablishment
of consensus prioritiesSupport for
implementation and ongoing operationEstablishmen
t of multi-sector agreements and commitments
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Communication of results
Regional workshop June 2009 Sharing
experiences with Latin America the
CaribbeanCommunication with international
community
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Thank you very much.