Benin

Legal and Institutional Strengthening for the Sound Management of Chemicals

Project Story

Waste no more: Benin confronts long history of chemical waste mismanagement

Tracking chemicals and reducing risks in Benin

Project Summary

Used chemicals are problem in Benin due to a history of bad management practices and poor application of appropriate precautions. In fact, during the 1999/2000 cropping season, the misuse of chemical pesticides was responsible for 147 cases of human poisoning, including 10 deaths (OBEPAB, 2001). In order to remedy the situation and to protect the population and environment, Benin ratified several Conventions and international agreements that focus on the sound management of chemicals. However, some barriers, such as institutional and financial barriers and limited technical capacity, among others, continue to exist in Benin which hinders the sound management of chemicals and their wastes. This project aims to reduce chemical impacts and assist the country in meeting its obligations under the Stockholm and Basel Conventions with management scenarios.

Project Objectives

The project will undertake the following measures to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks for Sound Management of Chemicals:

• Analyse the current situation on chemicals in Benin
• Improve national legislative and regulatory frameworks for chemicals and chemical wastes management
• Develop tools for the management of chemicals and wastes (general stockpile, new stockpiles and wastes)
• Strengthening the effectiveness of actors' capacity for sustainable management of chemicals and plan of communication
• The insertion of a subroutine in the National Program for Environmental Management of the Ministry of Environment to support the institutional framework;
• Evaluation of project activities are monitored and evaluated.