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HCF 2021 Virtual Programme

Master of Ceremony: Irene van Luijken, Cefic Project Director.

day 1 day 2

Tuesday 27 April 2021

see the recording of tuesday

Opening Ceremony (prerecorded)

Master of Ceremony: Irene Van Luijken, Cefic Project Director
Keynote, Opening speech: Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, the European Commission, How the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability fits in the EU Green Deal
Keynote: Jan Vapaavuori, Lord mayor of Helsinki, Helsinki – carbon neutral by 2035
Keynote: Bjorn Hansen, Executive Director, ECHA, Are REACH and CLP working?

Panel 1 – Forthcoming ICCM 5: Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020

Concept:

The second Global Chemicals Outlook (GCO-II) concluded that the global goal to minimize adverse impacts of chemicals and waste will not be achieved by 2020. What needs to be agreed at ICCM-5 to address shortcomings identified in the GCO-II? What targets and types of indicators should be agreed for measurable action by the all involved stakeholders to track progress both nationally and globally? What role can regions with advanced chemicals management systems, such as the European Union, play in assisting less developed countries to achieve a high protection standard by 2030?

Moderator:
Monika MacDevette, Head to the Chemicals and Health Branch, UNEP

Panelists:
• Servet Gören, Director International Affairs CEFIC and industry representative at SAICM bureau of ICCA
• Alexandra Caterbow, Co-director, HEJ!Support – Presentation (pdf)
• Per Ängquist, General Director, KemI, Sweden
• Judith Torres, International Environmental Affairs officer, Ministry of Environment of Uruguay and cochair of the Intersessional process considering the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020.
• Jing Zhao, SCC agency, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China

PANEL 2 – Green chemical policy

Concept:

With the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability adopted in October 2020 the European Commission launched its version of a green chemical policy for the future. Which regulatory tools should be chosen to protect citizens, workers and the environment from the effects of harmful chemicals? What is the role of bans of hazardous chemicals versus measures based on specific risk assessments? How can we speed up the protection against the most hazardous chemicals without losing consideration of science and risks? What role should the concept of allowing certain chemicals only for essential uses play? What will be the effects on international trade? What will be the role of the new chemicals strategy under “the EU Green Deal”, and how do other world regions achieve green objectives that include circular economy and climate neutrality simultaneously?

Moderator:
Otto Linher, Senior Expert of the REACH Unit, DG Growth, EU-Commission

Panelists:
• Steven van de Broeck, CEFIC Director Chemicals Policy
• Tala Henry, Deputy Director, Office of Pollution Prevention & Toxics, EPA – Presentation (pdf)
• Tatiana Santos, Policy Manager, Chemicals & Nanotechnology, EEB – Presentation (pdf)
• Henrik Søren Larsen, Head of Department, Drinking water and Chemicals, Ministry of Environment of Denmark – Presentation (pdf)
• Oliver Bisazza, Director General Industrial Policies, Medtech Europe – Presentation (pdf)

How ambitious is the new EU Chemicals Strategy

Moderator: Andrew Turley, Science Editor, Chemical Watch

Panelists:
• Virginijus Sinkevičius, Environment Commissioner of the European Commission
• Marco Mensink, Director General CEFIC
• Jeremy Wates, Secretary General of EEB

Wednesday 28 April 2021

See the recording of wednesday

PANEL 3 – Transparency & risk communication

Concept:

Traceability of chemicals of concern is an important element in creating market trust while complying with existing legal requirements. What are the challenges in communicating on potential risks of chemicals in products? What are the current best practices in place for tracking chemicals to inform decisions relating to risk management measures, prevention of exposure and instructions for safe and sustainable recycling? Risk communication and transparency are topics which are important not only to regulators but also an intrinsic part of supply chain communication all the way to the end consumer. NGO’s argue that traceability of (all) chemicals in materials, products and waste must become mandatory by 2030. Is this a realistic ambition? How can we ensure that the right information reaches the right audience in the era of social media?

Moderator:
Jukka Malm, Deputy Executive Director, ECHA

Panelists:
• Apolline Roger, ClientEarth – Presentation (pdf)
• Julian Schenten, University of Darmstadt, SOFIA – Society for Institutional Analysis – Presentation (pdf)
• Pelle Moos – Team leader Safety and Health, BEUC – Presentation (pdf)
• Violaine Verougstraete – Chemicals Management Director, Eurometaux – Presentation (pdf)
• Mirva Kipinoinen, Director Communications, Tukes – Presentation (pdf)

PANEL 4 – Safer substitution

Concept:

With increasing awareness of the need for safer and sustainable substitution, how can this shift be better incentivised? Support of research and development? Financial incentives? Education and awareness? SME capacity building? Increased information on substitution needs but also the available substitutes and their properties? A panel of stakeholders, from regulators, to industry to civil society will discuss what could help to increase the pace towards the implementation of safer alternatives.

Moderator:
Eeva Leinala, Principal Administrator, chemical safety and biosafety, OECD

Panelists:
• Anne-Sofie Bäckar, Executive Director, ChemSec – Presentation (pdf)
• Paul Ellis, Head of sustainable chemicals management, Kingfisher
• Joel Tickner, Professor Lowell University and Executive director of the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council – Presentation (pdf)
• Peter van der Zandt, Director Risk Management, ECHA – Presentation (pdf)
• Elke Van Asbroeck, Managing Director, Apeiron-Team – Presentation (pdf)

PANEL 5 – Spotlight on textiles

Concept:

In 2020 HCF will take a look at progress on chemicals management within one well-known sector. The programme committee agreed that the textile/ apparel industry is one where there has been formidable challenges and exciting progress with innovative initiatives to achieve real improvements in the way textiles are made, distributed, sold, used and managed at the end of life. This panel will bring together stakeholders across the supply chain to debate what has been achieved, and what are the persistent barriers and useful incentives for further progress?

Moderator:
Leigh Stringer, Global business editor, Chemical Watch

Panelists:
• Frank Michel, Executive Director, ZDHC Foundation
• Christina Jönsson, Vice President, RISE Research Institute of Sweden
• Ana-Maria Blass-Rico, Administrator, REACH Unit, DG Growth, EU-Commission – Presentation (pdf)
• Manfred Santen, Toxics Campaigner, Greenpeace
• Kristen Kern, Manager of Supply Chains & Sustainability Initiatives, American Apparel & Footwear Association – Presentation (pdf)

CONCLUDING REMARKS AND CLOSING

Geert Dancet, Secretary General of HCF