Experts share risk management predictions at Globalchem 2009

GlobalChem 2009 was initiated by leaders at EPA and Capitol Hill, as well as industry and international experts to discuss on developments in chemical risk management policies in the US and abroad. The conference was started with a discussion about the future of TSCA by Jim Jones, acting assistant administrator of the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances at EPA.

Lisa Jackson, EPA head, stated that chemical assessment and management is her third-highest agenda priority, behind climate change and clean air efforts. She urged the agency to move ahead faster on its chemical risk management efforts. She also declared EPA’s three guiding principles in these efforts to be sound science, the rule of law and transparency in regulatory action.

Representatives from North American regulatory agencies discussed their nations’ contributions to the upcoming ICCM-2, to be held next month in Geneva. The speakers focused on efforts to support Mexico’s growing regulatory system and create a common baseline level of monitoring and assessment among the three North American nations.

Matthew Gubb, of the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management (SAICM) Secretariat, emphasized the importance of stakeholder participation and intergovernmental cooperation in addressing modernization and harmonization efforts in chemicals management.