In this edition of the Chemical Watch news podcast editorial director, Geraint Roberts, North America managing editor, Terry Hyland, and emerging markets reporter, Ginger Hervey, join global managing editor, Kate Lowe, to discuss three stories from the week.
First, we discuss the European Commission's chemicals strategy for sustainability, due to be published this week. It has been the subject of fierce debate on key policy areas but is now expected to retain almost all of the policy actions originally proposed by DG Environment.
Next, we look at the decision of the US EPA to grant a request from a group of six manufacturers to conduct a TSCA risk evaluation for octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), setting the stage for the review of the cyclo-siloxane to begin before the end of the year.
And finally, following a week that should have seen representatives from governments, intergovernmental organisations and NGOs from across the world gather in the German city of Bonn to decide the future of the UN’s chemicals programme, we ask how participants in the global talks are tackling the remaining vital issues.