China is a large producer and consumer of chemicals. Driven by rapid economic growth in the past several decades, chemical production and use was involved in various sectors of the national economy. This has brought economic benefits but also has come at an environmental cost.
The Chinese government has recognized that the sound management of chemicals and waste is essential if economic growth is to continue. Over the past decade, China has established a management system for hazardous chemicals and has been dedicated to improving this system, while also working to implement the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Minamata Conventions.
In this context, a three-year project was launched with the support of the UN Environment’s Special Programme on Institutional Strengthening for Chemicals and Waste Management to strengthen national institutional capacity so that regulations and laws can be fully enforced.
The project will address issues of chemicals and waste management in a variety of ways, by tackling short-term problems and looking for long-term solutions. Urgent needs with high priority will be addressed first, mitigating the adverse effect on the environment at the national and local levels. At the same time, policy research will be conducted for the purpose of promoting the efficient implementation of the conventions, improving policies, laws, and regulations at the national level, as well as strengthening institutional capacity for implementing the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Minamata Conventions.
