IPENers from the EECCA region highlight need for lead paint regulations at UNEP workshop

IPENers from ten countries participated in a regional workshop organized by UNEP on the theme of promoting regulatory and voluntary action by government and industry to phase out lead in paint. IPEN's work, together with its participating organizations, was highlighted throughout the workshop, including presentations of the role of civil society, paint studies conducted in the region and working with SMEs to facilitate the phase out of lead from paint. Activities to eliminate lead paint by Greenwomen in Kazakhstan and Mama-86 in Ukraine were also presented, along with with information shared from the floor by several IPEN POs. Group discussions during the second day of the workshop provided additional opportunities for IPENers to provide their experiences and expertise in order to develop national approaches mapping out how new regulations on lead paint could be adopted, or existing ones strengthened. 

Some important outcomes from the workshop included agreement from the participants:

- that lead paint is a hazard and a problem, and that legally binding controls are needed in all countries

- to continue working with stakeholders towards such prohibitions 

- the countries in the Eurasian economic union agreed to work on lowering the limits in the draft standard

The workshop was conducted to initiate work on the lead paint elimination component of the GEF-funded SAICM project implemented by UNEP, where IPEN is an Executing Partner. The aim of the component is to have new or strengthened regulations on lead paint in 40 countries adopted.

Photo:

From the left top row: Knarik Grigoryan, Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment,   Armenia; Olga Podosenova, Gamarjoba, Georgia; Denys Pavlovskyi, Mama-86 Ukraine;

From the left, second row: Ibraghim Domuladjanov, For environmentally Clean Fergana, Uzbekistan; Anna Cazacu, EcoContact, Moldova; Lydia Astanina, Greenwomen, Kazakhstan; Inna Konyukhova, Independent Ecological Expertise, Kyrgyzstan; Sara Brosché, IPEN; Olga Ponizova, EcoAccord, Russia

Missing from the photo are Islam Mustafayev, Ruzgar Ecological Society, Azerbaijan; and Muazama Burkhanova, FSCI, Dastgiri-Center, Tajikistan who also participated in the workshop