Priority setting for chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention: a risk-based strategy for environmental and human health protection

Chemicals provide numerous benefits that support and improve the health and welfare of humans and the environment in a wide range of applications. The environmental release of chemicals, however, can result in risks to humans and the environment. Minimizing and eliminating chemical pollution should thus represent an important goal for all stakeholders and rights holders. Recognizing the global concerns associated with chemical pollution, in 2022, the United Nations Environmental Assembly 5.2 approved the adoption of resolution 5/8, declaring that a science-policy panel should be established to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution. Three years later, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel for Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISPCWP) was established on June 20, 2025 at an Intergovernmental Meeting in Punta de Este, Uruguay. A globally harmonized approach and collective international effort can maximize the value of existing national efforts, overcome regional disadvantages related to socioeconomic and geopolitical factors, and fast-track international responses to emerging and legacy chemicals and waste issues. The mission of the ISPCWP will only be achieved with multi-stakeholder and rights owner engagement, a robust scientific foundation, and the sound implementation of policies. A conceptual framework is presented that supports a risk-based prioritization of issues and actions for environmental and human health protection. It is proposed that the conceptual framework provides a tool that can be adopted to support science-based prioritization, and which can facilitate transparency with respect to the decision-making process of the ISPCWP’s work program.