An informal proposal being debated by government leaders sheds light on how a global plastics treaty could phase out "problematic" products and chemicals in plastics.
The proposal, detailed by the Swiss government on a March 28 webinar, calls for the treaty to include lists of problematic or avoidable products to restrict, as well as "chemicals of concern" in plastics that countries would be expected to phase out.
The Swiss government convened a meeting of 65 technical experts from countries and parties to talk about the proposal ahead of the next round of treaty talks that begin April 23 in Canada.
Having detailed lists would make the treaty more effective than leaving implementation entirely to national governments, and it would send investment signals to industry, said Michel Tschirren, head of the global affairs section for Switzerland's Federal Office for the Environment.
"It's important to recognize that the global lists will make the treaty effective as opposed to having just criteria and leaving it up to the national implementation as to what is really regulated, which would create a very fragmented picture and make it very difficult to have the effect the treaty should have," he said on the webinar organized by the Geneva Environment Network.
"They should also help to create a shift in investments that is needed," Tschirren said, adding that implementation of any such list needs to recognize the different circumstances countries face.
He said some of the lists could be drawn from work already done by a global network of Plastic Pacts as well as regulations. His presentation also said intentionally-added microplastics could be part of the products list.
Tschirren's presentation did not specify other products or chemicals that could be included on lists.