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UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Toxins and Waste criticizes double standards of German chemical production

Tuncak calls for stronger global standards and encourages both the German government and German companies to reduce the export of hazardous substances.

07.01.2016 |




Baskut Tuncak, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and hazardous substances and wastes, visited Germany for eight days in December. On his mission he discussed with businesses, industry associations and civil servants as well as with members of civil society organizations the implications of hazardous substances on human rights.

In his final statement, Tuncak stresses the problem that German companies export chemicals that are banned within the EU to “countries with far weaker or essentially  non‐existent systems for chemicals management”. Due to that business practices, workers and communities are facing especially in Africa, South‐East Asia and Latin America serious health risks.Despite reporting requirements of the REACH regulation, German companies struggle to trace the use of hazardous chemicals.

Furthermore, Tuncak demands a phase out for the production of highly hazardous pesticides (HHP) for those countries as the risks of usage cannot be managed there. He calls for stronger global standards and encourages both the German government and German companies to reduce the export of hazardous substances. A final report will be presented to the Human Rights Council in September.


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