Workshop begins to approve Draft law on the Management of Dangerous Chemicals in Mauritania

A consultative workshop to approve the draft law on the management of hazardous chemicals in Mauritania, organized by the Directorate of Environmental Control and Assessment of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, began on Tuesday at the premises of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.

The draft law, which was prepared by a national expert and funded by the Environment Committee, aims to promote the accurate classification of chemicals according to their degree of danger and environmental and health impacts, regulate their import, export and manufacture, establish safe storage standards that reduce the risk of accidents and leaks, and transport them in safe and responsible ways.

It also aims to manage chemical waste in environmentally friendly ways that prevent soil and water pollution, hold the various actors accountable for their legal responsibilities, and enhance the capabilities of actors through training and awareness programs that contribute to raising the efficiency of dealing with these substances.

In a speech on the occasion, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development Messaouda Mint Baham Ould Mohamed Laghdaf praised this meeting, which embodies the Mauritanian state’s commitment to achieving a balance between the requirements of economic progress, environmental protection and human health.

She added that the management and management of chemicals, which have become an essential element in various sectors, is a major challenge that requires continuous vigilance and strict regulatory procedures, as chemicals are widely used in the agricultural and livestock sectors, such as fertilizers and pesticides that enhance agricultural production and protect crops from pests, while these chemicals contribute to the preservation and packaging of marine products, and also enter the manufacture of medicines and medical supplies for the health sector, in addition to the role of these chemicals in our daily lives through materials Cleaning, beautification and maintenance.

These benefits do not negate the potential risks associated with poor management or unsafe disposal, which can lead to water pollution and endanger human and animal health.

The Minister indicated that our country’s involvement in international efforts to protect the environment and manage chemicals has been translated through the signing and ratification of many international conventions, noting that despite these efforts, there are still challenges that require a more comprehensive and effective national legal framework that keeps pace with developments and establishes clear mechanisms to regulate the use of these substances and ensure their safety.

She pointed out that this project represents the first comprehensive national law that seeks to address all aspects related to the management of chemicals in accordance with an integrated vision that ensures reducing their risks to the environment and public health.

She stressed that the success of this legal framework depends on everyone‘s contribution to formulating a balanced model that ensures the benefit of chemicals while minimizing their negative effects, indicating that protecting our environment and preserving the health of our citizens is not an option, but a shared responsibility that requires everyone to work in a spirit of cooperation and partnership.

She called for a serious discussion of this project so that we could develop a legal framework that would serve as a model at the national and international levels.

The opening ceremony of the workshop took place in the presence of a number of senior officials of the Ministry, representatives of all concerned government sectors and some technical and financial partners of the environment and sustainable development sector.