Albania adopted a Law on Chemicals Management in 2016, which represented a significant legislative development. It aims to transpose Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and creates the legal basis for further transposition of the acquis, including on asbestos and mercury. However, the management of chemicals depends on many actors and institutions working together, and this inter-institutional coordination and cooperation is lacking in Albania. Improper management of chemicals has disastrous effects on human health and the environment, making its suitable management imperative. This lack of cooperation extends to addressing international obligations on chemicals and the potential development of new laws to address specific issues. Furthermore, whilst the Law also stipulated that cooperation between institutions be dealt with through a Cross-Cutting Committee for Chemical Safety, no guidelines have been drawn up on the rules and procedures on the Committee’s functioning.
In order to support Albania with these issues, the UNECE has produced a set of guidelines to establish rules and procedures for the functioning of the Cross-Cutting Committee for Chemical Safety. This will not only give Albania the tools to implement its Law on Chemicals Management, but also aids in the fulfilment of several SDGs. Whilst there is a specific target under SDG 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production on the sound management of chemicals, chemicals affect almost all aspects of development and, as such, chemicals management is imperative for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.