The flexible framework for addressing Chemical Accident Prevention and Preparedness (CAPP) methodology provides guidance for national governments in strengthening national policies and legislative frameworks, with the objective to prevent accidents or minimise their environmental, social and economic impacts.
Through CAPP, the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) aims to promote chemical accident prevention and preparedness, in emerging economies and developing countries that need support to address the increased risks of chemical accidents.
The Flexible Framework aims to:
- Increase countries’ understanding of issues related to chemical accident prevention and preparedness
- Improve the capacity of relevant institutions, agencies and experts to address the risks of chemical accidents
- Help countries to develop and implement an appropriate CAPP programme. These programmes encompass the collection of laws, regulations, policies, guidance, and other instruments developed by a country to address the various aspects of CAPP.
UN Environment developed, with a group of Experts, the Flexible Framework for Addressing Chemical Accident Prevention and Preparedness guidance (2010) and Implementation-support package (2012).
The group included representatives of relevant UN agencies, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the UNEP/Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Joint Environment Unit, known as the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit (JEU). There were also representatives from other inter-governmental organisations, including the European Commission (EC) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as well as non-governmental organisations such as the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC). Other participants included the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) and the Centro de Tecnologia Mineral/Programa Iberoamericano de Ciencia y Tecnologia para el Desarrollo (CETEM/CYTED). Government officials from national organisations, including the Netherlands, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), Thailand, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), and independent experts were also represented in the Expert Working Group.
UN Environment supported development or improvement of national CAPP Programmes in Cambodia, Mali, the Philippines, Senegal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Experience in those countries was captured in the report “Case studies of implementation” (2015), which disseminate the results and lessons learned from these national projects and to present a number of recommendations. The report highlights the large scope for application in all countries, relying on the Flexible Framework’s adaptability to the country’s level and nature of risks, to the resources available and to the political and legal contexts.
