UNEP Regional Webinar on Lead Management in LAC

Lead exposure in the LAC region stems from multiple sources, making coordinated, multi-sectoral policy action essential to protect public health and reduce pollution at scale.

On 30 October 2025, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with support from the European Union and in collaboration with the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP), convened a regional webinar to advance a coordinated approach to lead management and exposure prevention across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The session brought together government agencies, technical experts, and regional partners to strengthen policy alignment and promote safer, formalized systems for the collection, transport, and recycling of Used Lead-Acid Batteries (ULABs) — a major source of lead exposure in many countries.

In this event: 

• Dr. Lilian Corra (GAHP Senior Advisor) highlighted GAHP’s work supporting multi-sectoral dialogue and circular economy solutions to reduce lead exposure, including recent progress in Brazil, where policy reforms are reinforcing safe ULAB recycling through regulated reverse logistics systems.

• Mr. Alberto Santos Capra (GAHP Board Member and Director of BCRC Argentina) outlined the Centre’s work to strengthen hazardous waste management across Latin America and the Caribbean. He highlighted a regional project with the Basel Convention Secretariat that produced a validated roadmap for environmentally sound ULAB management, developed jointly with more than fifteen countries. He also noted that the project informed model legislation to regulate the full lifecycle of lead-acid batteries, including procedures, roles, and facility requirements. The initiative is now exploring digital traceability tools, such as a “digital product passport,” currently being piloted in Uruguay as a possible model for the region.

Why This Matters

Informal ULAB recycling continues to contaminate communities, homes, and the environment — with significant health impacts, particularly for children. Strengthening regulatory systems and coordinating policy across sectors enables countries to:

• Reduce lead exposure

• Protect public health

• Support circular resource recovery