Chemicals And Biotechnology Committee (CHEM) Dr. Kay Williams

1. What is the mission and mandate of your Committee?

The mission of the Chemicals and Biotechnology Committee is to contribute to green growth and sustainable development through protection of the human health and the environment against the risks chemicals and products of modern biotechnology pose, as well the prevention of the emergence of non-tariff barriers to trade, the saving of costs to countries and industry, and the promoted harmonisation among countries of chemical management systems.

2. You have been designated Committee Chair. What is your background and what has convinced you to take up this post? How do you consider your background and experience contribute to such a role and function?

I have been involved in international environment issues for over 20 years and am currently the Head of International chemicals, pesticides and hazardous waste hub in the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I have a higher degree (PhD) in applied biology and have held a variety of policy and research roles, including leading the UK delegation for a number of United Nations Multi-lateral Environment Agreements. Strong international collaboration is essential to manage harmful substances and create innovative approaches to protect the planet and human health. The work of this committee is critical in providing a forum to agree upon high standards, share the latest technological knowledge and create efficiencies.

3. What is your main priority as Chair?

My priority is as chair is to:  make sure that the activities and agenda of the meetings are relevant and topical.  that the Environment, Health and Safety programme is effective, value for money and forward looking adopting innovative methods and approaches.  facilitate Member country meetings to allow for open, transparent, inspirational and occasionally challenging discussions.

4. How would you define the added value of your Committee in relation to the work of the OECD in an international context? How does it differ from other international fora dealing with the same topic?

The OECD Chemicals and Biotechnology Committee is a space for the harmonisation of scientific approaches to regulatory needs as regards chemical safety and biosafety. The focus of many other Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEA), is often then a reasonably high-level framework and political commitments. The OECD’s work has a strong standard-setting role, with a great deal of technical and regulatory applied work undertaken for direct domestic implementation. Furthermore, the work of the Committee is capable of addressing the priorities of similar economies and advanced regulatory systems, in this case work-sharing;

5. Are you facing any specific major challenge derived from the current multilateral environment?

Most countries recognise the benefits of working together, and are keen to collaborate when facing future threats to human health and the environment. Nevertheless, as policy environments between countries continue to diverge it becomes challenging at times to find topics for cooperation.

6. How do you encourage, and ensure national experts engage productively in the work of your Committee?

Engagement is ensured by a number of different means:  tools and instruments developed confine themselves to responding to countries’ regulatory need;  the technical tools generated by the Programme are developed by experts in Member countries [lead countries or organisations]; and brought forward to the OECD for harmonisation;  whenever needed, technical workshops are organised, often in Member countries, providing more opportunities for national experts to be engaged.

7. How do you help maximise policy coherence through the work of the Committee?

Policy coherence is ensured through a large set of legal instruments which ensure that basic chemicals management systems are in place in all OECD countries. Furthermore, the harmonisation of technical tools for the implementation of national chemical safety and biosafety legislation ultimately fosters the convergence of policy decision making frameworks regarding risk management vis-à-vis chemicals and the products of modern biotechnology.

8. How do you ensure effective decision-making by the Committee?

This is achieved by:  good prepration and making sure that relevant and clear documents are distributed well in advance;  summarising conclusions and decisions made following each discussion;  focusing discussions on areas which are less contentious first to build trust and good communication before tackling tougher topics.

9. Could you mention the most important documents/reports that the Committee/Group has issued in the last 2 years? Why are these important and what has been their impact?

I would like to highlight the following two products: 1. "Defined Approach for Skin Sensitisation": https://doi.org/10.1787/b92879a4-en. This 2021 OECD Test Guideline for identifying chemicals than can cause skin allergies is the first Test Guideline relying solely on non-animal methods and that can fully replace current test methods relying on the use of laboratory animals. 2. "A Chemicals Perspective on Designing with Sustainable Plastics": https://doi.org/10.1787/f2ba8ff3-en. This 2021 publication provides very practical guidance to enable the creation of inherently sustainable plastic products by integrating sustainable chemistry thinking in the design process.

10. How can you encourage synergies between policy communities?

I am always keen to encourage synergies between activities of other committees at the OECD including those where there has been traditionally less engagement. We need to emphasise that without addressing the cross cutting issues relating to chemicals the successful outcomes of other Committees work, including on

Resources and Waste, biodiversity and climate change cannot be delivered. Over the last few years, collaborations with other Committees, especially EPOC, have been augmented significantly, for example through the founding of joint projects on sustainable plastic and on methodologies by which to estimate the monetary benefits of chemicals being regulated. New joint projects on increasing financing for sustainable chemistry and on the update of a legal instrument on Integrated Pollution Prevention are planned.

11. How do you see the role played by the Secretariat?

A good secretariat is essential for supporting the running of the Environment, Health and Safety programme and whilst most projects are mostly led by countries, an engaged and well organised secretariat is critical for productive and progessive outputs and outcomes.

The Secretariat has to service the 11 subsidiary bodies of the Committee, and a multitude of expert groups. In addition, the role of the Secretariat is to encourage synergies between different areas of policy on chemical safety (e.g. between different legislative silos, such as for pesticides or industrial chemicals). The Secretariat also has the role of continually identifying new opportunities for collaboration to suggest to the Bureau and the Committee, that might result in a saving of resources for Member countries, as well as allowing for emerging safety issues to be addressed.

12. In relation to the standard-setting role, what do you suggest to maintain the relevance and impact of OECD standards over time? Which areas need strengthening?

OECD standards need to be forward looking and increasingly be developed at pace in response to a highly innovative industry. The standards should be continually reviewed for relevance and promoted more widely in support of capacity building through the development of tools and engagement with other international forums to promote and share best practice.

13. How have you ensured a contribution of your actions or influence to continuous improvement within the Organisation?

Through engaging with the Council to raise awareness of the work of the committee and supporting internal reviews including implementing any recommendations. I work closely with the Secretariat and Bureau to retain a relevant agenda that supports international initiatives outside the OECD to retain its relevance globally.

14. What are the practical implications of the work of your Committee/Group?

The Chemicals and Biotechnology Committee focuses on practical tools and instruments of immediate application in Member countries. The harmonisation of the technical implementation of national chemicals safety and biosafety legislation generates considerable savings for countries – in 2019 savings were estimated at more than 309 MEUR per year.

15. What would be your key advice to a person taking up the post of Chair of an OECD Committee/Group?

 Be open minded to new ideas and approaches;  Be engaged and well prepared;  Support the secretariat and ensure proper funding is in place to deliver the programme of work.