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Baltic
Regional Co-operation on Chemicals Control (BACCON 3)
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Commissioned by:
Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Finnish Ministry of Environment,
Nordic Council of Ministers, German Federal Environmental Agency,
Danish Environmental Protection Agency, Latvian Environmental
Protection Fund
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Contractor:
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Baltic Environmental Forum (BEF), Riga
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In co-operation with:
Ökopol, Baltic Environmental Forum (BEF) and various
consulting institutions in the Baltic States
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Duration:
August 2003 - December 2004
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Background |
Since 1998 the Baltic Environmental Forum
in co-operation with Oekopol has supported industry and administrations
in the Baltic States in the implementation of European chemicals policy
and the implementation of an efficient chemicals control on national
level by means of workshop programmes, training courses and management
projects. The very complex and new topic of chemicals policy is by
now fairly well anchored and networks of different actors have evolved
at various levels.
The project BACCON 3 continues the work and aims at further supporting
the establishment of stable networks. Especially the results of former
projects will be introduced to a wider circle of actors in form of
training courses and seminars. Additional to the activities for EU
accession of the three countries, the New European Chemicals Policy
(REACH) is to be discussed and its implementation prepared. |
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Objectives and expected resluts |
Aim of the project is to inform about the
European chemicals policy, facilitate an experience exchange about
it and strengthen the co-operation of different stakeholders. More
specifically |
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- The legislation development process and the institutional set
up in the field of chemicals policy shall be accompanied (e.g.
Biocides Directive, Water Framework Directive)
- The stakeholder network in administration, industry and consulting
institutions shall be strengthened
- The knowledge of industrial companies on the safe handling and
use of chemicals shall be improved
- The understanding of roles and responsibilities of industry
actors shall be improved (importers, manufacturers, users of chemicals)
- Controlling institutions shall be strengthened and an integrated
approach in enforcement shall be promoted
- Environmental and consumer protection organisations shall be
sensibilised for the issue of dangerous chemicals
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Project activities |
The project is subdivided into various smaller sub-projects: For
disseminating information about EU chemicals policy, workshops are
organised on different issues and for various target groups. Inspections
are trained in a separate training programme. Imports and exports
of chemicals on the Baltic markets are being analysed and problems
of importers in chemicals risk communication with suppliers from
Eastern countries are assessed. Users of chemicals can get familiar
with chemicals risk management at company level by attending one
of the two 2-part training courses which makes use of the risk management
handbook and they can implement separate management elements in
their companies. A short study will be carried out researching risk
communication along a supply chain and showing the specific challenges
for industry in the Baltic States and introducing to REACH. Furthermore
environmental and consumer protection organisations in the Baltic
States will be identified, brought in contact with European organisations
and introduced to the issue of hazardous chemicals in consumer products.
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Contact |
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Dirk Jepsen
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