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This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Greenpeace analyzes the tensions between international trade rules, primarily those of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the conservation of global fisheries. It argues that current trade interpretations often hinder sustainable fisheries management by prohibiting regulations based on production and processing methods (PPMs). The authors propose a framework to integrate the precautionary approach into trade law, eliminate destructive subsidies, and ensure that investment liberalization does not undermine the ability of states to protect marine resources and traditional fishing communities.

This amicus curiae brief, submitted by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), supports petitioners Miguel Ignacio Fredes González and Andrea Tuczek Fries in their claim against Chile. The document argues that the Chilean government violated the right to access information by providing incomplete data regarding the location and nature of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) released into the environment. CIEL provides technical details on the scientific uncertainty and risks associated with GMOs and analyzes international legal frameworks—including the Cartagena Protocol and the Aarhus Convention—to assert that transparency and public participation are essential for managing biosafety risks.

This policy brief by the Center for International Environmental Law argues that the success of the Kyoto Protocol depends on the United States exercising moral leadership through domestic emission reductions and the closure of treaty loopholes.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law examines the human rights implications of decaBDE (decabromodiphenyl ether), an additive flame retardant used in plastics and textiles. It details the chemical's adverse health effects, its bioaccumulative nature, and how its presence in consumer products and the environment violates rights to health, life, adequate housing, food, water, and information.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law examines the health and human rights implications of phthalates, a group of industrial chemicals used as plasticizers. It details how these substances act as endocrine disruptors, affecting reproductive health, development, and metabolic systems, and argues that their ubiquity violates several international human rights, including the rights to health, adequate housing, and information.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law examines the health impacts of phthalates—industrial chemicals used as plasticizers—and argues that their ubiquity and toxicity violate several fundamental human rights, including the rights to health, life, adequate housing, and information.

This executive summary by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that stricter regulations on hazardous chemicals stimulate innovation and the commercialization of safer alternatives. While noting the risk of 'regrettable substitution,' the document provides six policy recommendations to ensure that chemical innovation leads to a healthier market.

This research paper by the Center for International Environmental Law analyzes the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) chapter of the draft Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) agreement. The author argues that the draft represents a 'TRIPS-plus' approach that increases protection levels beyond the WTO's TRIPS Agreement, thereby reducing the regulatory flexibility of developing countries to address public health, food security, and sustainable development.

This policy brief by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms act as a major legal and financial barrier to climate action. It contends that ISDS allows fossil fuel investors to sue governments for implementing climate regulations, creating a "chilling effect" that deters states from phasing out fossil fuels and aligning financial flows with the Paris Agreement.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law analyzes the European Commission's October 2020 "Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability." It evaluates the strategy's potential to create a "toxic-free environment" and provides recommendations for the EU to lead global chemical management by strengthening international standards and eliminating the "double standard" of exporting hazardous substances banned within the EU.

This legal opinion by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the export of pesticides prohibited or not approved in Europe to countries in Africa and Central America is illegal under international law, regional agreements, and human rights obligations.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law analyzes the European Commission's October 2020 "Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability." It evaluates the strategy's potential to create a toxic-free environment and provides specific recommendations for the EU to lead global chemical management by strengthening international standards, eliminating double standards in exports, and implementing rigorous internal safety frameworks.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) analyzes a proposal by pesticide industry lobby groups CropLife America and the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) regarding the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). CIEL argues that the industry is using 'regulatory cooperation' as a mechanism to compel the European Union to lower its health and environmental standards to match the weaker standards of the United States, effectively creating a 'regulatory ceiling' that would hinder global pesticide regulation.

This legal opinion by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the European Union's Ship Recycling Regulation (SRR) is illegal under international and EU law. CIEL contends that the SRR creates an unlawful exemption for EU-flagged ships from the Basel Convention's prohibitions on exporting hazardous waste to developing countries, particularly following the entry into force of the Basel Ban Amendment on December 5, 2019.

This legal briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the export of pesticides banned or not approved in their countries of origin—specifically from Europe to Africa and Central America—violates international law, including the Basel Convention, the Bamako Convention, and the Central American Agreement, as well as international human rights obligations.

The document outlines various definitions of nanomaterials used by the ISO, OECD, the European Union, and agencies in the US and Canada. It notes that while many rely on a size range of 1nm to 100nm, specific criteria (such as particle distribution percentages in the EU or property-based definitions in the US and Canada) vary. The author argues that these differing definitions lead to legal uncertainty and inconsistent safety assessments across different jurisdictions and product types.

A joint statement from environmental, worker, and consumer organisations expressing disappointment and concern regarding the European Commission's Second Regulatory Review on Nanomaterials published on 3 October 2012. The signatories argue that the Commission's approach is inconsistent with its own analysis, ignores scientific evidence of nanomaterial toxicity, and fails to implement a precautionary approach to protect human health and the environment.

The 'Déclaration sur les déchets contenant des nanomatériaux' is a statement signed by civil society organizations and research institutes calling for the application of the precautionary principle to manage manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) in waste streams. The signatories urge governments and companies to implement producer responsibility, restrict transboundary movements of MNM waste, and develop safe recycling and disposal technologies to protect human health and the environment.

The Declaration on Waste Containing Nanomaterials is a statement by a global coalition of civil society organisations and research institutes calling for a precautionary approach to the management of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) in waste streams to protect human health and the environment.

A declaration by international civil society organizations calling for a precautionary approach to the management of waste containing manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs). It advocates for extended producer responsibility, restrictions on transboundary waste movement, the creation of a public registration system in the EU, and the development of safe recycling technologies to protect human health and the environment.