Multi-Stakeholder Sprint on Global & National Policy Framework on Chemicals of Concern for Plastics Alternatives and Non-Plastic Substitutes

The multi-stakeholder, year-long APLN Chemicals of Concern initiative, building on the Harmonized Safety and Sustainable Criteria (HSC) multi-stakeholder effort from last year — officially launched at the April summit. This initiative is designed to create a forum for all stakeholders: petrochemical companies, environmental NGOs, CPGs, waste management firms, retailers, alternative material producers, and scientists can work together to address Chemicals of Concern in non-plastics substitutes and alternatives.

The output from this process will be shared with U.S. regulatory agencies and policymakers, Global Treaty negotiators, aligned parties from the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm chemical conventions, and companies across the packaging value chain.

This work builds on the Harmonized Safety & Sustainability Criteria (HSC) developed by OPLN in advance of INC-5 in Busan, which outlines key safety clusters to guide the new guidelines.

Organizations engaged to date

The lack of standardized evaluation processes is hindering transition away from problematic plastics to safe & sustainable alternatives

Introducing Alternatives to Plastics Leadership Network

The Alternatives to Plastics Leadership Network (APLN) was established to address the urgent demand from civil society, multinational companies, and governments for robust research and alignment on chemicals of concern in non-plastic substitutes and plastic alternatives.

APLN’s work centers on the Harmonized Safety & Sustainability Criteria (HSC)—a science-based framework designed to support decision-making on chemicals of concern, safer alternatives, and non-plastic substitutes.

Upcoming Activations

04-22-202504-23-2025

Atlantic Packaging Solution Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Bridging U.S. and Global Chemical Policy on Plastic Alternatives and Non Plastic Substitutes

The Chemicals of Concern Policy Summit

This invitation-only event on will bring together stakeholders across the entire material and packaging ecosystem, including government officials, NGOs, scientists, alternatives-to-plastics producers, and upstream, midstream, and downstream industry participants, to collaborate on Guidelines for Chemicals of Concern (COC) for Plastic Alternatives, and Non-Plastic Substitutes ahead of Global Plastic Pollution Treaty INC 5.2 negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland on August 5 -14th. The Chemicals of Concern Policy Summit will include one targeted technical day (April 22) focused on global policy to begin the year-long APLN stakeholder process, and one day (April 23) open to U.S. Policymakers, Regulatory Agencies, and the Media focused on U.S Policy. The summit will produce an output to inform U.S. policymakers and regulatory agencies, Global Treaty negotiators, and international chemical conventions, including the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions.

05-29-2025

1 - 2:30 pm ET

Virtual

Report-Out from Chemicals of Concern Policy Summit & Next Steps

APLN 2025: First Virtual Plenary

Six 1.5-hour virtual convenings for APLN members will share insights on sector developments and make connections across the value chain. The first virtual plenary will report out from the Chemicals of Concern Policy Summit to share insights from the discussions and next steps for the development of a Global & National Policy Framework on Chemicals of Concern -- the Guidelines for Chemicals of Concern focused on plastic alternatives and non-plastic substitutes.

08-05-202508-14-2025

Geneva, Switzerland

INC 5.2

UN Global Plastics Treaty

The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5.2), is scheduled to take place from 5 to 14 August 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The resumed session will be preceded by regional consultations on 4 August 2025.