An issue of concern is an issue involving any phase in the life cycle of chemicals that has not yet been generally recognized, is insufficiently addressed, or arises as a potential concern from the current level of scientific information, and that may have adverse effects on human health and/or the environment that would benefit from international action.
Call for comments: Nominations for new issues of concern
The Global Framework on Chemicals invites stakeholders to provide comments on nominations submitted for new issues of concern for consideration at the first meeting of the International Conference.
The nominations and workplans are available below:
- Chemicals management issues of special concern for children’s health
- Towards a broader approach on lead: expanding the scope beyond lead in paint
- Pharmaceutical pollution and its effects on human health and the environment
- Harmonization of global efforts to protect human, animal, and environment health against the threat from hazardous chemicals by transitioning to New Approach Methods
Stakeholders are invited to submit comments by 21 August 2026.
For more information on Issues of Concern please refer to the text of the Global Framework on Chemicals sections:
- VII. Issues of concern
- Annex I - Issues of concern
For any questions, please contact the secretariat at unep-gfc.secretariat@un.org.
The following issues of concern under SAICM will be decided upon at the first international conference as stated in resolution V/5
Lead in paint
Chemicals in products
Hazardous substance within the life cycle of electrical and electronic products
Nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals
Environmentally persistent pharmaceutical pollutants
Perfluorinated chemicals and the transition to safer alternatives
Highly hazardous pesticides
