Ecuador Launches a National Chemicals Management Program

The Ministry of Environment of Ecuador (MAE), with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has launched the National Program for the Proper Management of Chemicals During the Life Cycle. Members of the public and private sectors joined the Ministry to consider the key phases of implementing the program. The National Program will manage hazardous chemicals, including persistent organic pollutants and mercury, through concrete public policy and implementation projects.
 
Implementation of the National Program is anticipated to strengthen national institutional capacity and the regulatory framework for the sound management of chemicals using the life-cycle approach. The implementation program will train 706 people, eliminate 30 tons of obsolete pesticides containing persistent organic pollutants, and reduce the use of new POPs, among many other things. The National Program and its implementation signal Ecuador’s continued commitment to international agreements to protect human health and the environment.