Initiatives

Flexible Framework for Chemical Accident Prevention - Guidance for Governments

Flexible Framework Initiative

In late 2007, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) launched an initiative to promote chemical accident prevention worldwide. The initiative focuses on the development and implementation of a Flexible Framework for Chemical Accident Prevention. The Framework offers Guidance for national governments wanting to develop, improve, strenghten or review their industrial chemical accidents prevention and preparedness policies and programme.

In order to coordinate the development and implementation of the Flexible Framework, a UNEP Expert Working Group was created, involving selected experts and institutions in the fields of chemical safety and prevention of industrial accidents. Relevant UN agencies (UNIDO, ILO, UNECE, UNITAR, WHO etc.), the European Commission DG Environment and the Joint Research Centre, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Asia Disaster preparedness Centre, experts and selected countries are represented in the working group.

The Working Group has met four times, resulting in the finalisation of draft Guidance ready for implementation. On the basis of funding from the Norwegian Government, UNEP has already initiated implementation projects with Cambodia and the Philippines. UNEP is also supporting a number of countries' applications to implement the Framework under SAICM's Quick Start Programme, as part of efforts to promote chemical accident prevention worldwide.

Download the Brochure

Guidance for Governments

The Guidance for Chemical Accident Prevention brings together in one document both in-depth information on critical elements of a the development or review of an industrial chemical accident prevention and preparedness programme based on international references and practical information addressed to national governments on how to develop such a programme.

More specifically, the Guidance provides comprehensive information for establishing a chemical accident prevention programme by:

• describing the steps that are needed before developing and implementing laws, regulations, policies, guidance or other instruments which would make up an effective chemical accidents programme (e.g. for establishing priorities, determining the appropriate administrative arrangements, etc.);
• setting out the possible elements of such instruments; and
• providing resource materials related to how these elements may be implemented, based on international initiatives and the experience of countries that have had chemical accident programmes in place for a number of years.

The overall Guidance has been designed to be flexible to ensure that:

• the Guidance can be applied in different national contexts worldwide;
• countries can focus on elements relevant to their particular context and adapt them as required; and
• countries can decide how to define actions, depending on priorities, resources and experience.

The Guidance focuses on prevention and preparedness for industrial accidents at "hazardous installations" which include places where hazardous substances are produced, processed, used, handled or stored in such quantities and under such conditions that a chemical accident could occur. The types of accidents addressed by the Guidance would include any loss of containment, explosion, or fire involving chemicals which pose a risk to human health or the environment.

Download the Guidance

Responsible Production - A Framework for Chemical Hazard Management for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

Background

UNEP's Responsible Production approach has been designed to build capacity for chemical safety management across the value chain. It engages businesses, supply-chains, distributors, traders and buyers in safer production, accident prevention and emergency preparedness. It does so in a manner that demonstrates commitment to core Corporate Social Responsibility issues such as: environmental impact reduction, workers safety, stakeholder engagement, community engagement, and supply-chain management.

The Responsible Production approach was developed by UNEP and AccountAbility in cooperation with the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) and the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM). Other project partners included the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), the European Process Safety Centre (EPSC), the Brazilian Chemical Industry Association (ABIQUIM), the Latin-American Science & Technology Development Programme (CYTED), the Netherlands Foundation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), the Swedish Association of Mines, Mineral and Metal Producers (SVEMIN), and the European Association of Mining Industries (EUROMINES). The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) also contributed with technical inputs to the approach.

The development of the Responsible Production approach was supported by pilot cases or sites in Peru (in the mining sector) and Thailand (in the chemical sector). These provided important feedback that has resulted in a responsive and user-friendly approach. The pilot exercises were undertaken with the official support of the Department of IndustrialWorks of the Ministry of Industry of Thailand, Samutprakarn Provincial Government, the Ministry of Environment of Peru, and the Regional Government of Cajamarca.

National project partners included also the Thailand Environment Institute (TEI), the Chemical Industry Club of the Federation of Thai Industries, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), Mahidol University of Thailand, the National Society of Industry (SNI) in Peru, and the Peruvian National Society of Mining, Oil and Energy (SNMPE). In addition, a number of multinational companies, including Clariant Chemicals (Thailand), Antamina, Newmont Mining (Yanacocha), Golds Fields La Cima, and Barrick also partnered with UNEP in this project sharing their corporate best practice with the SMEs involved in the pilots. Rio Tinto also provided support to project activities in Peru.

This project has been funded by the Norwegian Government within the framework of UNEP's work on Sustainable Consumption and Production for Poverty Alleviation through Emergency Planning, Trade, Chemicals and Waste Management.

Download the Brochure

Publications

The Responsible Production Handbook for Chemical Hazard Management in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises comprises three main elements: (1) the Responsible Production Framework Booklet, (2) the Responsible Production Guidance and Toolkit, and (3) the Responsible Production Training Package. Together, these elements provide the background for implementing Responsible Production, which is an integrated approach for chemical safety management and chemical product stewardship along the value-chain, targeted at Small and Medium Sized companies (SMEs).

The first element within the Responsible Production Handbook - the Responsible Production Framework Booklet - introduces the user to the overall background, technical approach and business case for its implementation. It also includes sets of indicators for easy monitoring of companies' performance in the implementation of the approach, and of overall safety performance. Finally, it includes a set of case studies and describes the lessons learnt from the capacity building and implementation activities that were undertaken in Peru and in Thailand to pilot the approach in the mining (Peru), and chemical (Thailand) sectors.

Download the Responsible Production Framework Booklet

The second element of the handbook - the Responsible Production Toolkit - includes a wide range of tools that can be used according to the needs and context of each company. It is divided into basic and advanced tools, and includes a detailed checklist for assisting companies in identifying the main gaps to be addressed. This element includes the core technical materials of the handbook that support companies in operationalising the framework.

Download the Responsible Production Toolkit

Finally, the Responsible Production Training Package provides an adaptable base for capacity building. It includes a set of 18 thematic training sessions to aid SMEs in implementation of the overall approach. The training package explains the objectives and target audience, includes a section on trainer requirements, and provides detailed guidance for trainers on how to undertake each session. It also includes several references to supporting documentation, and comprehensive presentations to be adapted by trainers to the context of each training activity.

Download the Responsible Production Trainers' Support Package
Download the Responsible Production Training Package slides

Access the Responsible Production interactive website