Workshop: Green chemistry for circular economy and sustainable future

November 2, 2023. | Beograd

On November 2, a workshop was held in Belgrade - Green Chemistry for a Circular Economy and a Sustainable Future, during which the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia presented the Responsible Business Hub and the Law on Due Diligence in Supply Chains.

The event was organized with the support of the project "Global Program for Green Chemistry and Innovation" (Global Greenchem Innovation and Network Program - GGINP) which aims to strengthen the sound management of industrial chemicals and their waste through better control, reduction and/or elimination of waste. Special emphasis is placed on the promotion of green chemistry solutions for POPs chemicals and mercury replacement through capacity building and innovations, as well as the creation of a global green chemistry network.

The workshop began with an introduction to green chemistry and regulatory frameworks with an indication of opportunities and challenges.

Director of the Center for Cleaner Production of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy at the University of Belgrade, Dr. Branko Dunjić, took the attendees through the "Global Program for Green Chemistry and Innovations" project, after which Dr. Jelena Milić, project coordinator, emphasized why green chemistry is an important pillar of sustainable development.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection was addressed by Ivan Đuričković, who presented the National Regulatory Framework for the Management of POPs chemicals in Serbia and presented perfluorinated compounds that are currently in the status of POPs candidates for inclusion in the lists of the Stockholm Convention, and Sonja Rogalić, Head of the Department of Chemicals, who has presented a proposal to amend Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation regarding the inclusion of a wider group of perforated compounds in the regime of bans and restrictions in the EU.

In the continuation of the workshop, the attendees heard more about the standards related to green chemistry and the field of Management Systems and risks, as well as examples of good practice of green chemistry.