The Sound Management of Chemicals (SMOC) initiative provides a framework for regional cooperation for the sound management of the full range of chemical substances of mutual concern throughout their life cycles, including pollution prevention, source reduction and pollution control.
The CEC’s SMOC initiative is concerned with minimizing the risks of human and environmental exposure to chemicals in use, or previously used in and traded as products (e.g., mercury, lindane); categories of chemicals, including those produced as unintentional byproducts from disposal of traded products (e.g., dioxins and furans); and industry sectors and technologies common to the three countries (e.g., automotive, electronics). In general terms, the SMOC initiative focuses on chemicals in trade, their products, and long-range transport of chemicals across borders. To this end, the CEC facilitates discussion, coordination and mutual assistance among the three Parties.
The North American approach for sound management of chemicals has been exemplary in other international fora and provides a venue for both disseminating and collecting information of importance to the Parties respecting both domestic and international initiatives.
Key activities for 2008 include: implementation of the mercury and lindane North American Regional Action Plans (NARAPs), development and implementation of the dioxins and furans NARAP, and strengthening linkages between SMOC and various environment and trade initiatives, including the issue of management of electronic waste. Specific accomplishments for 2008 include: a multi-hospital workshop in Mexico on reducing the risk of mercury exposure, a database on dietary lindane intake of indigenous communities in Mexico, a workshop on analytical capabilities and sources of dioxins and furans, a workshop on long-range transport modeling of dioxins and furans, and ongoing support for the development of a comprehensive chemicals inventory and other capacity building projects in Mexico.
 Project details – Sound Management of Chemicals
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