As her time as Chair of the Chemical Review Committee (CRC) of the Rotterdam Convention comes to a close, Noluzuko “Zukie” Gwayi shares her reflections on the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned over the past eight years.
Q: What do you see as the Committee’s biggest achievements during your time as Chair?
Zukie: We’ve made significant progress over the years, and I’m proud of what the Committee has achieved. One of the biggest accomplishments was standing firm under pressure. At times, we faced strong opposition from observers who wanted decisions to reflect their interests, even involving political influence. Despite that, the Committee remained committed to fairness and scientific integrity. We also made strides in improving openness and inclusion, allowing observers to participate more meaningfully in a way that strengthened trust and transparency. The workload was intense - we reviewed a large number of notifications of final regulatory action to ban or restrict harmful chemicals and severely hazardous pesticide formulations - but we handled it effectively. Over time, the quality of our work improved, with better preparation and more thorough assessments. Personally, I learned how to navigate complex political dynamics and manage diverging views of Committee members and observers from governments or industry. These experiences weren’t always easy, but they were essential. I believe all of this has helped lay a strong foundation for the next Chair to build on and continue advancing the Committee’s important mission.
Q: What were some of the toughest cases the Committee had to deal with?
Zukie: COVID-19 made things harder. We had to train new members and hold meetings online, which wasn’t ideal – especially for those new to the CRC. Some of the most complex cases involved proposals based on national surveys or reviews, especially from developing countries. These didn’t always include detailed risk assessments, which some members from developed countries expected. I had to explain that risk evaluations, not full assessments, are acceptable under CRC rules, and that the conditions prevailing in a country cannot be ignored.
Sometimes, the documentation we received wasn’t clear, and members had to understand the reasoning behind a country’s decision to ban or restrict a chemical. This led to disagreements within the Committee, and it was my role to remind everyone of the criteria we’re supposed to follow. In some cases, I spoke with Committee members privately, without observers present, to make sure we stayed focused and didn’t let outside pressure influence our decisions.
Q: How has global chemical management changed during your time on the Committee? What trends do you see shaping the future?
Zukie:
The COVID-19 pandemic hit economies hard, and many countries are still recovering. One worrying trend is that the production of highly toxic and long-lasting chemicals is shifting to the Global South, regions that often lack strong safety systems to manage these substances properly. Many of these chemicals are already banned or restricted in the Global North, but they’re still being used in the South, where regulations and enforcement are weaker. At the same time, populations in these regions are growing fast, and so is the demand for food. This has led to increased use of pesticides, many of which are very toxic, persistent, and can disrupt hormones. On the positive side, more countries are becoming aware of the risks and ask for technical assistance provided by the Secretariat. This means the CRC will likely receive more notifications of final regulatory action and proposals for listing Severely Hazardous Pesticide formulations to review, as countries seek to ban or restrict harmful chemicals. To support this progress, the Rotterdam Convention’s Conference of the Parties should encourage countries and partners to invest in training and resources – especially for countries in the Global South. This would help them better understand chemical safety and submit stronger proposals to the CRC.
Q: What advice would you give to the new Chair of the Committee?
Zukie:
First of all, congratulations to the new Chair! I wish the incoming Chair all the best in this important role. My advice is to remember that leadership in the CRC is a team effort. The Chair should work closely with the Bureau and make good use of their support to help guide decisions. It’s important to understand the weight of the responsibility and ensure that the Committee’s work is always fair, transparent, and of high quality. I recommend taking time to study the CRC Handbook, which offers helpful examples of past decisions, especially for complex or unusual cases. No two proposals are the same, so this resource is invaluable. Attending orientation sessions is also key, even for experienced members, as there’s always something new to learn and ways to grow as a leader. Preparation is crucial; doing the groundwork before meetings, and especially during intersessional and pre-session periods, can make all the difference. The Chair should encourage open and respectful discussions among members and with observers, as this leads to better understanding and stronger outcomes. Lastly, the Chair should feel confident reaching out to the Secretariat whenever needed - they are a rich source of knowledge and experience, and their support is always available.