Mandate:      Renewed by written procedure by the Joint Meeting of the Chemicals Committee and the Working Party on Chemicals Pesticides and Biotechnology [ENV/JM/WRPR(2020)47, Annex B]

Extract of document [ENV/JM/WRPR(2020)47, Annex B]

“I. Objectives

The Working Party on Chemical Accidents (hereafter the “WPCA”) shall assist the Chemicals and Biotechnology Committee (hereafter the “CBC”) in developing appropriate safety policy options including ways and means for national and international action, for enhancing the prevention of, preparedness for, and response to chemical accidents at hazardous installations including transportation interfaces and pipelines.

II. Working Methods

To achieve these objectives, the WPCA shall:

1.serve as a forum for Members and relevant non-Members to exchange approaches and experiences in the prevention of, preparedness for, and response to chemical accidents, identify areas of mutual interest, analyse issues of concern, and support the exchange of information and experience with non-governmental stakeholders (e.g., industry, workers and their representatives, and the public);

2.improve the awareness, knowledge, and capabilities to address chemical accidents issues by identifying and promoting relevant technology, practices, management regimes and policies aimed at ensuring that appropriate safety measures are in place at potentially-hazardous installations, including measures to prevent accidents and mitigate their effects if eventually occurred;

3.develop and support the implementation and dissemination of related OECD standards and tools, including ways and means for national and international action enhancing the prevention of, preparedness for, and response to chemical accidents. This comprises in particular the update and extended use of the OECD Guiding Principles for Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response, the OECD Guidance on Developing Safety Performance Indicators and the OECD Guidance on Corporate Governance for Process Safety;

4.support and facilitate the collection and analysis of data on chemical accidents, including economic data, in order to enhance the integration of economic considerations into selected policies and procedures for chemical accident prevention, preparedness and response;

5.report on its activities to the CBC and advise the CBC on chemical accidents related issues.

III. Coordination arrangements

In order to efficiently implement its objectives, the WPCA shall:

1.work in collaboration with other bodies of the CBC on issues of mutual interest;

2.cooperate with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (EC-JRC) to support the collection and analysis of information and data on chemical accidents, and foster the exchange of information and lessons learnt;

3.cooperate with other international organisations including through participation in the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Chemical/Industrial Accidents, and in particular with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), the Joint ‘United Nations Environment Programme’/‘Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ Environment Unit (JEU), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the World Health Organisation (WHO);

4.collaborate with the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC), the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC), non-governmental organisations working on human health and the environment and other key collaborative bodies as relevant.

IV. Composition

The WPCA is composed of delegates nominated by Members and other participants who are responsible for carrying out work in the field of chemical accidents prevention, preparedness and response.”