Preamble

In the light of WHO's strategy for health for all in Europe, the report of the World Commission on Environment and Development and the related Environmental Perspective to the Year 2000 and Beyond (resolutions 42/187 and 42/186 of the United Nations General Assembly) and World Health Assembly resolution WHA42.26,

  • Recognizing the dependence of human health on a wide range of crucial environmental factors,
  • Stressing the vital importance of preventing health hazards by protecting the environment,
  • Acknowledging the benefits to health and wellbeing that accrue from a clean and harmonious environment,
  • Encouraged by the many examples of positive achievement in the abatement of pollution and the restoration of a healthy environment,
  • Mindful that the maintenance and improvement of health and wellbeing require a sustainable system of development,
  • Concerned at the ill-considered use of natural resources and man-made products in ways liable to damage the environment and endanger health,
  • Considering the international character of many environmental and health issues and the interdependence of nations and individuals in these matters,
  • Conscious of the fact that, since developing countries are faced with major environmental problems, there is a need for global cooperation,
  • Responding to the specific characteristics of the European Region, and notably its large population, intensive industrialization and dense traffic,
  • Taking into account existing international instruments (such as agreements on protection of the ozone layer) and other initiatives relating to the environment and health,


The Ministers of the Environment and of Health of the Member States of the European Region of WHO, meeting together for the first time at Frankfurt-am-Main on 7 and 8 December 1989, have adopted the attached European Charter on Environment and Health and have accordingly agreed upon the principles and strategies laid down therein as a firm commitment to action. In view of its environmental mandate, the Commission of the European Communities was specially invited to participate and, acting on behalf of the Community, also adopted the Charter as a guideline for future action by the Community in areas which lie within Community competence.