Acronyms and definitions

 

Substances

Bisphenols (including Bisphenol A and S, BPA and BPS):

A family of substances with a similar chemical structure used to produce polymers and resins, often used in plastic manufacturing. Due to their hazardous properties, the use of some bisphenols is restricted or being limited in the EU.

Carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR) substances:

Those substances that present carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic properties. Carcinogenic chemicals may induce cancer or increase its incidence. Mutagenic chemicals can cause genetic mutations, meaning heritable genetic defects, or increase their incidence. Reprotoxic chemicals can damage the reproductive process, so they may produce or increase the incidence of nonheritable adverse effects in the progeny and/or an impairment of male or female reproductive functions or capacity.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs):

A large group of chemicals that may interfere with the hormonal system and harm humans and wildlife. A wide range of natural and artificial substances may cause endocrine disruption, sometimes long after exposure. In some cases, the effects of foetal exposure can last into adulthood and possibly also future generations.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS):

A large class of thousands of synthetic chemicals containing very strong, carbon-fluorine bonds, which resist degradation. PFAs are easily transported in the environment, often over long distances, becoming environmental pollutants associated with harmful effects on health.

Phthalates:

A family of synthetic chemicals widely used in consumer and industrial products. They can be found almost everywhere in our environment. Those phthalates that have been studied include some that cause harm to health by, for example, interfering with hormonal systems and contributing to allergies.

CLP: The Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals (EU)

CSS: Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (EU)

ECHA: European Chemicals Agency (EU)

ECHR: European Convention on Human Rights (Council of Europe)

EEA:

  • European Economic Area (the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway)
  • European Environment Agency (EU)

ESC: European Social Charter (Council of Europe)

EU Charter: Charter of Fundamental Rights (EU)

EU: European Union

HBM4EU: European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (EU)

ICCPR: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (UN)

REACH: Regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (EU)

SDGs: Sustainable Development Goals

TEU: Treaty on European Union

TSR: Toy Safety Regulation (EU)

UNCRC: United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

UNCRPD: United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

WHO: World Health Organisation

 
 
 
 

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Footnotes

1 The UN defines sexual exploitation as “any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another” and sexual abuse as “the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions” in Secretary-General’s Bulletin: Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse - ST/SGB/2003/13 (9 October 2003): https://undocs.org/ST/SGB/2003/13, p1. These definitions are endorsed by CRIN, including in Sexual Violence by Peacekeepers Against Children and Other Civilians – A Practical Guide for Advocacy (2016): https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5afadb22e17ba3eddf90c02f/t/6048a1a3eea85d105635dc5d/1615372756367/guide_-_peacekeeper_sexual_violence_final_0.pdf, p3. See also the Terminology Guidelines for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Luxembourg Guidelines): https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/TerminologyGuidelines_en.pdf


2 Paisley Dodds, AP Exclusive: UN Child Sex Ring Left Victims but No Arrests, AP News, Associated Press (12 April 2017): https://apnews.com/e6ebc331460345c5abd4f57d77f535c1


3 The policy prohibits UN staff from having any sexual relations with persons under the age of 18. UN Secretary-General’s Bulletin: Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse - ST/SGB/2003/13 (9 October 2003): https://undocs.org/ST/SGB/2003/13


4 UN Secretary-General, Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse: a new approach - A/71/818 (28 February 2017): https://undocs.org/A/71/818


5 Reuters, “U.N. discloses rise in sex abuse cases, ascribes it to better reporting“ (19 March 2019): https://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-sexualviolence/un-discloses-rise-in-sex-abuse-cases-ascribes-it-to-better-reporting-idUSKCN1QZ2KV


6 Conduct in UN Field Missions, last accessed 13 July 2023: https://conduct.unmissions.org/sea-victims


7 Figures from the UN’s website on Conduct in Field Missions, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Table of Allegations (2015 onwards), last accessed 13 July 2023: https://conduct.unmissions.org/table-of-allegations


8 Figures from the UN’s website on Conduct in Field Missions, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Table of Allegations (2015 onwards), last accessed 13 July 2023: https://conduct.unmissions.org/table-of-allegations


9 “In the spring of 2014, allegations came to light that international troops serving in a peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic had sexually abused a number of young children in exchange for food or money. The alleged perpetrators were largely from a French military force known as the Sangaris forces, which were operating as peacekeepers under authorization of the Security Council but not under United Nations command. The manner in which United Nations agencies responded to the allegations was seriously flawed.” See Marie Deschamps, Hassan B. Jallow and Yasmin Sooka, Taking action on SEA by peacekeepers: report of an independent review on SEA by international peacekeeping forces in the CAR (17 December 2015): https://reliefweb.int/report/central-african-republic/taking-action-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse-peacekeepers-report, p. i


10 Visit CRIN’s web page on “Sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers” to find out more about actions we have taken since 2014 on this issue: https://home.crin.org/issues/sexual-violence/un-peacekeepers


11 REDRESS is an international human rights organisation that represents victims of torture to obtain justice and reparations. For more information, see www.redress.org


12 Marie Deschamps, Hassan B. Jallow and Yasmin Sooka, Taking action on SEA by peacekeepers: report of an independent review on SEA by international peacekeeping forces in the CAR (17 December 2015): https://reliefweb.int/report/central-african-republic/taking-action-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse-peacekeepers-report, p i