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| NewsBrief | ||
No. 32 – July 2001 |
TM |
Introduction
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IN THIS ISSUE Introduction |
An eleventh hour reprieve for the Kyoto Protocol,
support for global warming concerns by a prestigious
US scientific panel, a bitter debate over New Zealand's
attempts to establish a Southern Whale sanctuary, a
timely visit by the Head of the UN Environmental
Programme and the government's commitment to
achieving key sustainable development objectives, have
encouraged us to focus on environmental, trade and
conservation issues in this edition.
Minister outlines Sustainable Development Strategy
"I wish to thank the Council for playing a lead role
in
the development and promotion of the Hazardous
Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) legislation,
including your work in supporting workshops and
seminars, and producing codes of practice to support
HSNO regulations", said Environment Minister Marian
Hobbs.
Opening the Council's 2001 Conference, the Minister
reiterated New Zealand's determination to implement
Chapter 19 objectives of the 1992 Rio Sustainable
Development (SD) conference. The Minister reviewed
progress against the key Agenda 21 issues, viz.:
Expand and accelerate international assessment of chemical risks
Harmonise the classification and labelling of chemicals
Improve the information exchange on toxic chemicals
And chemical risks
Establish risk reduction programmes
Strengthen national capabilities and capacities for the
management of chemicals
Prevent illegal international traffic in toxic and dangerous products
Commencing 2 July, New Zealand will progressively implement the UNCETDG/OECD recommendations for the global harmonization of the classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS) which are expected to be endorsed by the overseeing International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS).