Sustainable Management of Chemicals in Russia - Improving the Use of Chemicals and Minimizing the Danger for Nature and Human Beings
In this article we have analyzed the system of chemicals management in Russia. We have used the TSIS (“Trends & Indicators, Systems, Innovation, Strategy”) method as a tool for the analysis of the current state and for the elaboration of the concept of sustainable management of chemicals in Russia. The analysis showed that sustainable management of chemicals in Russia today might most effectively consist of: • The creation of the legal framework, including legislative support for many existing best practices; • Involvement of chemicals businesses and the general public in the process of promoting management, including creation of a culture of consumption and production of sustainable chemicals; • In addition to the state regulation, the implementation of business initiatives and the tools of self-regulation for business. We have found out that the organization of sustainable management of chemicals in Russia will require changes in chemical production (including internalizing the expenses now externalized to nature) and the consumption chains. The time to act is now, otherwise the planned growth in the production and consumption of chemicals is very likely to lead to catastrophic consequences both for the nature and for the human health. For the most part, best practices in sustainable management of chemicals (practices that could have a positive impact on the situation) are known in Russia. However, their effectiveness is low. The situation reflects the absence of a Russian legal framework on chemicals safety, and the current low motivation of business to adopt the best practices in the absence of clear signals from the state that it should be so. In order to create the system of sustainable management of chemicals, the state authorities should not only use the state regulation, but also actively promote and develop business initiatives and involve the society.