International engagement
The IPIECA Operational, Fuels and Product Issues Committee monitors and engages in United Nations (UN) activities that relate to downstream environmental issues.
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Providing a global system for classifying, labelling and communicating the hazards of chemicals
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Assessing the science surrounding proposed changes to the marine fuels regime
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Bringing cleaner air to millions of people by helping developing countries
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Promoting sustainable development by encouraging technical co-operation and capacity-building
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Global Harmonized System
The UN’s Global Harmonized System (GHS) facilitates international trade by providing a global system for classifying, labelling and communicating the hazards of chemicals. IPIECA contributes to the GHS by proposing ‘rules’ for petroleum products.
In Johannesburg in 2002, the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) adopted a Joint Plan of Implementation (JPOI), which encouraged countries to implement the GHS as soon as possible with a view to having the system fully operational by 2008. Implementation is very advanced in some countries (notably New Zealand and Japan), but the legislative process has only just begun in others (US, European Union, Australia, and South Africa).
The United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling (UNSCEGHS), which the UN established in 2001, is responsible for implementing the GHS worldwide. The sub-committee, which reports directly to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), manages and updates the GHS system, promotes its use, encourages feedback, and makes the system available for worldwide use by providing guidance globally.
IPIECA has developed guidance on the application of the GHS criteria to petroleum substances, more information is available by using the 'good practice' link below.
International Maritime Organization
IPIECA helps the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to assess the science surrounding proposed changes to the marine fuels regime (see our section on 'Air emissions from shipping'). It also identifies ways to make cleaner marine fuels more readily available to ship owners.
United Nations Environment Programme
IPIECA is a founding member of the worldwide Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV), which is part of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The partnership has bought cleaner air to millions of people by helping developing countries to phase out leaded gasoline and reduce sulphur emissions from fuels. Following its launch at the WSSD in Johannesburg in 2002, the PCFV met for the first time in New York in November 2002. There are more than 90 partners, including governments, civil societies, international organizations, universities and professional bodies.
IPIECA’s work with UNEP’s Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE) includes not only the PCFV, but also other fuels and vehicles issues, such as biofuels and mercury.
United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development
The UN’s Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) promotes sustainable development by encouraging technical co-operation and capacity-building at international, regional and national levels.
IPIECA participates in CSD meetings concerning transport and energy, and helps the commission’s secretariat, the Division for Sustainable Development (DSD), to organize Partnerships for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) events.
Categories:
- Fuels and Products
