--- TEMAS ACTUALES GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN CONSUMER AND EHS LAW AND POLICY IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN. ---

Temas Glossary

TEMAS ACTUALES GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN CONSUMER AND EHS LAW AND POLICY IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
A-B C D E F-G H I J-M N-O P Q-S T-U V-W X-Z

ignitable: has a flash point of less than 60 C or 140 F.

incineration: destruction of waste by controlled burning at high temperatures.

inorganic wastes: generally speaking, anything not directly derived from plants and animals and thus does not degrade easily or quickly. In the waste management policy context, it most often refers to metals, plastics, glass and sometimes even paper/board products.

integrated waste management (IWM): complementary use of several practices to handle waste safely and effectively. IWM techniques include source reduction, recycling, composting, energy recovery and landfilling.

Inter-American Development Bank (IADB): Washington DC-based regional development bank created in 1959 to accelerate economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Bank’s primary functions include mobilizing resources to finance the development of member countries, encouraging private investment, and providing technical assistance for the preparation, financing and implementation of development plans and projects.

International Agency for Research on Center (IARC): a specialized subsidiary body of the WHO created in 1965 to coordinate and conduct research on the causes of human cancer, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and to develop scientific strategies for cancer control. IARC is located in Lyon, France, and its work funded by 16 industrialized nations.

International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB): An international organization created in 1983 with the help of UNIDO to conduct advanced research and training in molecular biology and biotechnology with a view of serving the needs of developing countries. ICGEB’s two “component laboratories” are in Trieste, Italy, and New Delhi, India. The agreement creating the ICGEB has 86 signatory states (16 LAC nations), 52 (12 LAC) of which have ratified and become member states.

International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage ("IOPC Fund"): Fund created under IMO auspices to help cover damages caused by oil spills from tankers. Under the agreements underpinning the Fund, the tanker owner is liable to pay compensation up to a certain limit, after which compensation is available from the 1992 Fund if the damage occurs in a Fund member state.

International Labor Organization (ILO): Geneva-based UN specialized agency originally created by the League of Nations in 1919 as the International Labor Office. The ILO creates international instruments (usually binding conventions and nonbinding recommendations) on all issues involving work, employment and social security, including occupational safety and health (OSH) issues. Unique to the ILO is the tripartite structure (government-industry-labor) used in all of its bodies. ILO standards on OSH issues are the basis of many LAC regulations, and its Chemicals and Industrial Accidents conventions are either being ratified or used as models in many LAC nations.

International Maritime Organization (IMO): the London-based United Nations specialized agency created in 1959 to facilitate cooperation among governments in "technical matters of all kinds affecting shipping engaged in international trade," including the adoption of "highest practicable standards" in matters regarding maritime safety, efficient navigation, and the prevention and control of pollution caused by ships and crafts operating in the marine environment. IMO oversees MARPOL, the London Dumping Convention and a series of treaties on prevention and response to oil pollution.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO): Geneva-based body created in 1947 as a replacement for the International Federation of the National Standardizing Associations (ISA). The ISO is the lead nongovernmental agency for international standardization of technical specifications. It is loosely affiliated with the United Nations.

International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA): an international commodity agreement first concluded in 1983 under UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) auspices; it was replaced by new ITTA in 1994. Unlike most commodity agreements, the ITTA accords equal importance to trade and sustainable development. The ITTA is overseen by the ITTO.

International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO): intergovernmental organization created in 1986 to oversee the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA) and its related policy agreements and projects to promote the sustainable management, use and trade of tropical forest resources. The ITTO is based in Yokohama, Japan. Its 59 members represent some 80% of the world's tropical forests and 90% of the global tropical timber trade.

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' Recycling & Solid Waste Policy
in Latin America and the Caribbean '

by Keith E. Ripley