Health risks exist at all stages of the plastic lifecycle, from production and use to recycling and disposal, as well as from legacy plastics in the environment. Increasing evidence about the consumption and inhalation of micro- and nano-plastics, concerns over exposure to hazardous chemicals used to give plastics specific properties, and the need for better waste management practices are becoming central to public health discussions.

As a result, the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly called upon Member States to support the WHO in scaling up its work on plastics and health. They also encouraged contributions to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), convened by the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, to develop a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including marine pollution.

Throughout the negotiations WHO’s view has been guided by three overriding principles; the need

1. to pursue the highest attainable standard of human and environmental health;
2. to address the known and predicted health risks and exposures associated with plastic polymers, chemicals and additives, microplastics and nanoplastics at all stages of the plastics lifecycle; and
3. to ensure access to safe and effective health products that are affordable, accessible and appropriate to those that need them. The treaty must not inadvertently disrupt access to these products.