Sustainable Chemistry in Dessau – a workshop report

Abstract

How can 150 experts from 14 countries be tempted into the small town of Dessau? The Federal Environmental Agency (UBA), in cooperation with the OECD, the Federal Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (BAuA) and the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), invited delegates to Saxony-Anhalt to discuss an unwieldy but nevertheless widely discussed issue – Sustainable Chemistry. Under the title “Sustainable Chemistry – Integrated Management of Chemicals, Products and Processes”, a workshop was held from 27–29th January 2004, which provided scientists and experts from university, industry, environmental NGOs and authorities with a forum to discuss and reflect steps to put sustainable chemistry in more concrete terms. As part of the global programme of the OECD on sustainable chemistry, this workshop should focus on specific elements of sustainable chemistry, criteria and indicators, methods for evaluation and instruments for implementation. The workshop was not held in Dessau by accident. Andreas Troge, President of the UBA, said “The workshop will make a contribution to an economy that is competitive, dynamic, and based on knowledge. It is important to sustain the efficiency of chemical production as well as to safeguard the natural means of livelihood for future generations. Dessau is not only the future location of the UBA, it is also situated near a region which is a symbol for the transformation from a dirty to a resource-saving chemical production”. Ulrich Schlottmann from the hosting Ministry (BMU) brought the title of the workshop into an international context. He recalled the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002, aimed at minimization of significant negative impacts of chemicals on human health and environment by 2020. Laurence Musset from the OECD Environment Directorate stated, “Sustainable chemistry will raise the overall level of environmental protection and job and consumer safety” and highlighted the role of OECD as an engine for international chemical safety.