Latest on the GEF Mediterranean Sea Programme: public tender for international experts and laboratory to support the implementation of new POPs and mercury prevention activities led by SCP/RAC – Apply before December 1st !

SCP/RAC, based in Barcelona and hosted by the Catalan Waste Agency is currently implementing activities under the “Mediterranean Sea Programme” (MedProgramme): Enhancing Environmental Security which is a 43 million USD endeavour funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the aim of reducing major environmental stresses, strengthening climate resilience and water security, and improving the health and livelihoods of coastal populations in the Mediterranean region.

The Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP/RAC) as centre operating in support of two international treaties: The Barcelona Convention and the Stockholm Convention, has an innovative approach to tackle the issue of toxic chemicals based on preventing the use of toxic substances identified as country priorities.

Today we are announcing the launch of an open tender, which aims to implement this ambitious project to transform production patterns with regard to the presence, firstly, of POPs in certain products (in Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia) and, secondly, mercury in medical devices used in the health sector (in Lebanon and Tunisia).

Achieving this goal will require an initial examination of the productive and commercial realities of these countries to properly identify which products must be addressed. In the case of POPs, methodical sampling work will be carried out as the basis for suggested improvements, both productive and legislative. In that of mercury, proposals for administrative and regulatory improvements will be made on the basis of the protocols and current behaviour patterns identified in hospitals.

More specifically, the consultants will be covering 2 project outputs and the tender is divided into 3 lots, as follow:

• 1^st output: The long-term POPs reduction through pilot activities with new POP alternatives in Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia.

Initially, an inventory and sampling will be performed to quantify the new POPs (HBCD and SCCP) used as additives in polymeric products (EPS, XPS and PVC, respectively); as well as to confirm the presence and quantify the impact of PFOS firefighting foams in priority endpoints (soil, water).

The Centre has the mission of implementing safe alternatives to these substances in industry and ensuring their long-term use by modifying and/or adapting the standards and legislation that restrict their use and sale. 

To execute this subproject, we are seeking the services of a lead expert consultant or company (Lot 1) and a specialist laboratory with capacity and extensive experience in testing for PFAS, HBCD and SCCP, in order to carry out the sampling in each of the states where the project is running (Lot 3).

• 2^nd Output: Pilot activities in Lebanon and Tunisia on new alternatives that contribute to reducing mercury.

The national institutions and hospitals using mercury-containing measuring devices will need to be identified, performing a detailed stock-take of mercury-containing waste. The consultant will draw up an Environmental Assessment and Management Plan (EAMP) and strategic plan for the collection and storage of the medical devices adaptable to each public hospital to ensure the environmentally sound disposal of mercury-containing medical devices and mercury-containing waste 

The objective will be to review the directives contained in international law on mercury permitting beneficiary country institutions to update and adapt their respective legislation to prohibit the use of mercury in healthcare devices. The consultant will also prepare support materials, drawing up guidelines for local experts running awareness-raising actions (politicians, high level officials, etc.) and training activities on managing mercury 

To execute this subproject, we are seeking the services of a lead expert consultant or company specializing in mercury to implement the work plan for its elimination and replacement with safe alternatives and ensure its long-term sustainability in Lebanon and Tunisia (Lot 2) .

Local experts (whose procurement is not part of this tender) are already supporting the work in each of the beneficiary states of the project. If you are interested you can refer to the contracting platform of the Catalan Waste Agency.

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