Europe's chemicals strategy for sustainability; TSCA risk evaluation for D4; UN chemicals programme

In this edition of the Chemical Watch 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.

Firstly we discuss the European Commission's chemicals strategy for sustainability, due to be published this week, which 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.