RT Report
T1 The Illegal Trade in Chemicals
A1 United Nations Environment Programme, 
A2 Azoulay, David
A2 Hughes, Layla
A2 Malkov, Mikhail
A2 Maxson, Peter
A2 Ručevska, Ieva
A2 Speranskaya, Olga
K1 chemical
K1 waste
K1 waste management
K1 economic aspect
K1 risk management
K1 environmental management
K1 trade agreement
K1 mercury
K1 pesticide
K1 pollution
K1 environmental policy
K1 law enforcement
SN 978-92-807-3783-7
YR 2020
FD 2020
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/32021
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/32021
NO This report examines the scale, drivers and impacts of the illegal trade in chemicals, with a focus on pesticides, mercury and other hazardous substances traded across borders. It analyses international legal instruments and national legislation, and draws on trade databases, statistical analysis, industry reports, stakeholder interviews, fieldwork and media reviews to assess market dynamics and enforcement gaps. The report highlights significant discrepancies between reported trade flows and estimated use, weaknesses in monitoring and baseline data, and the involvement of informal and illicit supply chains. It documents human and environmental risks, including gender-related exposure patterns, and reviews regional enforcement efforts and regulatory frameworks aimed at preventing and combating illegal traffic.
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 16, 2026