Chemicals play an important role in the manufacturing processes of a great number of consumer products, and the production and use of chemicals are increasing year by year. Global supply chains are more intricate than ever, and with millions chemicals in circulation – some of them very detrimental to the environment and human health – there is a need for a global political commitment to tackle the problem.

Recognizing the urgency for a global framework that targets chemicals, the Swedish environmental minister Karolina Skog today announced the High Ambition Alliance (HAA) for chemicals and waste. The Alliance is composed of ministerial level representatives from different governments as well as senior representatives from intergovernmental organizations, industry and civil society.

“I believe we need something more than SAICM that goes beyond 2020, and regional efforts are simply not enough. We need global cooperation”, said Karolina Skog when announcing the alliance.

Sweden believes that the Alliance and its members can play a critical role in promoting a future global deal on chemicals and waste within the UN system, which is one of the reasons the alliance is being announced in conjunction with the UN High Level Political Forum in New York.

“Chemicals need to be taken into account when you consider a number of the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), and sound management of chemicals are fundamental for achieving the goal of the Agenda 2030”, Karolina Skog says.

Ministers from several countries attended the announcement and pledged their support for it.

Ikea’s Laws & Standards Team Manager, Therese Lilliebladh, spoke about the need for more transparency in the supply chain in order to achieve a circular economy.

“From Ikea’s side we see a huge need for a global framework for chemicals and waste. To fulfill regulations are simply not enough, more needs to be done”, said Therese Lilliebladh.