Purpose and background

Context

The Nordic prime ministers share the vision that the Nordic region should be the world's most sustainable and integrated region by 2030. To this end, the Nordic Council of Ministers has identified 14 new sectoral policy cooperation programmes that together address the three strategic priorities of Vison 2030: making the Nordic region green, competitive and socially sustainable (Nordiska ministerrådets politiska prioriteringar 2025–2030 | Nordiskt samarbete).

One of these programmes is the Environment and Climate Programme 2025-2030. Cooperation Programme for the Environment and Climate 2025–2030 addresses the 'triple crisis' of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, supports the region's goal of becoming the world's most sustainable and integrated region by 2030 and facilitates collaboration between the Nordic countries. The programme is divided into two three-year periods (2025–2027 and 2028–2030) allowing for evaluation and revision in between. The goals and sub-goals are designed to contribute to the three strategic priorities of Vision 2030. One of the cooperation areas within environment and climate, is for chemicals. The Nordic Chemicals Programme (NCP) details the activities within this area.

Nordic Chemicals Programme

Chemical co-operation has a long history in the Nordic countries. Co-operation in the chemicals sector among Nordic authorities has enabled the Nordic region to influence the development of chemical regulations in EU, EEA and globally, moving towards safer and more sustainable management. However, the progress and processes improving chemical safety are slow and new hazards emerge as we learn more about chemicals already in use. Therefore, continuous work to improve chemical management and chemical safety is crucial.

The main purpose of the Nordic Chemicals Programme is to contribute to the reduction of risks from hazardous chemicals and pollution globally, regionally, and locally by enhancing knowledge exchange, producing new knowledge as well as finding and utilizing synergies between Nordic chemical authorities. The Nordic Chemicals Programme primarily contributes to Nordic Co-operation Programme for the Environment and Climate 2025–2030 subgoals 3.1 and 3.3:

Contribute to high level of ambition to the negotiations and active implementation of international agreements concerning chemicals, waste, pollutants, plastic and similar.
Reduce risks to humans and the environment from chemical substances and products by phasing out hazardous chemicals, developing new knowledge, and informing key target groups.

The new Nordic Chemicals Programme builds upon the continuous Nordic co-operation for chemicals, environment, and health. The results and achievements from the work of previous programme period 2019–2024 can be found in a summary report (Nordic co-operation for chemicals, environment, and health).