News & Events

New Publication in the Series on Harmonisation of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology- Lodgepole Pine

08-Dec-2008

The "Consensus Document on the Biotechnology of  Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta Doug. ex. Loud.)," number 44 in the series, was recently published. 

Financing and pricing water: The roles of government policies, the private sector and civil society

02-Dec-2008

In his introductory remarks to the Global Forum on Sustainable Development: Financing and Pricing Water, M. Gurría declared that good water management is so fundamental to human and economic development, and to the maintenance of ecosystems, that we cannot afford to fail.

OECD Global Forum on Sustainable Development- "Financing and Pricing Water: the Roles of Government Policies, the Private Sector and Civil Society" OECD Conference Centre, Paris, 1-2 December 2008

28-Nov-2008

The conference will discuss the key policy conclusions and recommendations emerging from the two-year OECD Horizontal Water Programme. This report will be finalised in light of the discussion at this meeting and launched at the 5th World Water Forum, which will be held in Istanbul, 16-22 March 2009. For additional information regarding the Forum, please visit  www.oecd.org/water/forum2008

New Publication from the Series on Biocides No. 1

19-Nov-2008

The OECD has published a new guidance document which focuses on microbiological efficacy testing.  It covers efficacy testing of articles treated with antimicrobials in the manufacturing process with the intention of the achieving an external effect. Also included are articles which have been in some way modified during service so as to exert an antimicrobial effect.

Nouvelles Lignes Directrices pour les Essais

23-Oct-2008

Les Nouvelles Lignes Directrices pour les Essais ont été adoptées le 3 Octobre 2008 et sont disponibles sur SourceOECD.

Section 2: Effets sur les systèmes biologiques
LD 226  
LD 228   

Section 3: Dégradation et accumulation
LD 314   
LD 315  
LD 316

Section 5: Autres Lignes directrices
LD 508

LD mises à jour pour les essais:
Section 2: Effets sur les systèmes biologiques
LD 211  

Section 4: Effets sur la santé
LD 407  

LD corrigée pour les essais:
Section 4: Effets sur la santé
LD 425  

Inventory of International Initiatives Related to Sustainable Materials Management

30-Sep-2008

This study provides a summary of international initiatives that are relevant for Sustainable Materials Management, covering global and regional organisations, as well as business and industry associations, environmental NGOs and research organisations. A total of 67 initiatives have been identified at the international level that focus on reducing environmental impacts throughout the life-cycle of materials and bearing a relationship with waste and material policies, while taking into account economic efficiency and social equity.

A Study on Methodologies Relevant to the OECD Approach on Sustainable Materials Management

30-Sep-2008

This study provides an overview of ten methodologies used, directly or indirectly, to assess material use in terms of its potential impacts on the environment, benefits to society and value for the economy. The study aims to promote understanding of the strengths and limitations of these methodologies in promoting more sustainable management of materials. It presents an overview of each methodology according to its type and scope, points in the part of the life-cycle it covers and potential links to other methodologies in this study.

Mayors, Ministers call for Joint Action on Climate Change at OECD Conference

10-Oct-2008

A major international conference on "Competitive Cities and Climate Change″ organised by OECD concluded today in Milan. It underlined the central and critical role to be played by cities in successfully addressing the major global challenge of climate change.

Mobilising Financing for the Environment in Russia

06-Oct-2008

The report provides an update of some of the developments in environmental expenditure and finance in the Russian Federation. It presents the latest available data on trends in environmental expenditure and reviews a series of instruments to finance environmental policies in Russia, namely, revenues from economic instruments, user charges for water supply and sanitation, environmental funds, intergovernmental transfers, local capital markets and environmental assistance.

Cities should tackle climate change to stay competitive - Milan, 9-10 October

02-Oct-2008

Cities are a major source of air pollution and must lead efforts to combat climate change. Mayors and ministers will meet in Milan to discuss ways to promote environmentally sound transport, energy, waste and water services, while retaining economic competitiveness.