Economic and Industry Sector Engagement and Action to Implement the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC)

24 – 26 February 2025
Boulogne-Billancourt, France

A multi-stakeholder workshop to develop a GFC Implementation Programme  with a dedicated day on sustainability reporting and financing.

Hosted at the OECD, Paris, 24-26 February 2025. (*)

At the fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM 5), held in September 2023 in Bonn, Germany, delegates from around the world representing governments, industry and civil society adopted a new Global Framework on Chemicals: For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste” (GFC). The GFC includes 5 Strategic Objectives and 28 Targets, many of which are directly relevant to economic and industry sectors along value chains.

In response to a call from ICCM-5 to develop an Implementation Programme to engage economic and industry sectors, the IOMC is pleased to announce a global, multi-stakeholder workshop hosted at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD, Boulogne), in Paris, France from Monday 24 - Wednesday 26 February 2025 (noon).

Workshop Objectives

The workshop will serve as an important event to advance the development of a GFC Industry Implementation Programme and address related GFC topics of relevance to industry. A dedicated day will focus on opportunities to engage with organizations involved in disclosure and sustainability reporting, and private and public financial investments. 

The workshop has the following objectives:

  • Raise awareness of the GFC and its industry targets in important economic and industry sectors.
  • Develop guidance to develop industry strategies under GFC Target D6 that is of practical value to industry.
  • Take stock of and explore opportunities to engage organizations in aligning sustainability reporting standards and guidance with the GFC.
  • Generate momentum to engage financial stakeholders in implementing GFC Target D3 dealing with private sector financing.
  • Develop a draft mandate, Terms of Reference, and initial workplan for a GFC Implementation Programme to engage economic and industry sectors along value chains.
  • Explore opportunities to initiate development of specific industry sector GFC implementation programmes.

    • Workshop outcomes will feed into the GFC Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) meeting in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in June 2025.

    A dedicated day on industry disclosure, sustainability reporting, and financing (Tuesday, 25 February 2025).

    Day 2 of the workshop on 25 February 2025 will focus on the interface of industry disclosure, sustainability reporting, and financing along the chemical value chain and related stakeholder initiatives. An important aspect of the discussions will be how existing initiatives can take account of, and possibly align with, the GFC.

    On disclosure and sustainability standards discussed in the morning, guiding questions could include:

  • What is the landscape of disclosure and reporting standards of relevance to the GFC?
  • What elements and targets of the GFC should be addressed by industry in their reporting?
  • To what extent are existing reporting standards and approaches compatible with the GFC?
  • How could a GFC implementation programme advance this topic? Are relevant stakeholders ready to engage?

    • On private and public financial investors, discussed in the afternoon, guiding questions could include:

  • What is the landscape of investors and financial stakeholders of interest from a GFC perspective?
  • What information and criteria do these investors use (or would like to see in place) to determine if an investment is compatible with the GFC?
  • What type of chemical related industry action (or inaction) is financially material, i.e. affects the profits and financial evaluation of a company?
  • How could a GFC implementation programme help to advance this topic? Are relevant stakeholders ready to engage?

    • Note: 

    (*) Boulogne – OECD, 46, quai Alphonse Le Gallo, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France (n.b. this is not the main location of OECD offices).