A/HRC/43/30 information on environmental issues, informed participation in the process for approving investment projects and removes obstacles to environmental justice, including by requiring support for people or groups in vulnerable situations. It is the first treaty with specific provisions on environmental human rights defenders. 78. In 2017, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that the right to a healthy environment under the Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights protects individuals and collectives, including future generations, and can be used to hold States responsible for cross-border violations within their effective control.117 79. The European Court of Human Rights has established that various types of environmental degradation can result in human rights violations. 118 Its jurisprudence requires that States investigate violations and compensate individual victims and that they fulfil their obligation to prevent such violations from occurring through general and precautionary measures to address environmental risks in a systemic manner. Doing so includes carrying out environmental risk assessments and air and water quality controls, passing environmental regulations and planning for emergencies.119 80. The European Union has policies ensuring that companies undertake environmental and human rights due diligence and do not contribute to children’s rights violations. It has established standards to regulate toxic chemicals and lead, including the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation. Such standards apply, among others, to toxicants used in toys, furniture, clothing and cleaning products. Risk assessments must consider children. 120 Italy and Slovenia report implementing these regulations.121 National level 81. Bolivia (Plurinational State of), El Salvador, Mexico and Paraguay have introduced legislation recognizing children’s right to a healthy, ecological and sustainable environment.122 82. In the Philippines, the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act of 2016 provides for specific measures to protect and educate children in the context of emergencies, ensure their participation in relevant decision-making processes and collect better data.123 83. In Viet Nam, a law on environmental protection incorporates the best interests of the child and gender equality in relation to green growth and climate change. 124 84. In Canada, the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals research platform has contributed important data for improved understanding of chemicals’ impact on children’s health.125 85. Denmark, Saudi Arabia and Slovenia have adopted measures to protect children’s health from environmental degradation and chemicals.126 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Advisory Opinion OC-23/17 of 15 November 2017. https://www.echr.coe.int/Documents/FS_Environment_ENG.pdf. See, e.g., Tătar v. Romania (application No. 67021/01), judgment of 27 January 2009. Submission from the European Union. Submissions from Italy and Slovenia. A/HRC/37/58, para. 9. A/HRC/35/13, para. 44. Ibid. www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24678&LangID=E; www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/environmentalcontaminants/human-biomonitoring-environmental-chemicals/maternal-infant-researchenvironmental-chemicals-mirec-study/research.html. www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24678&LangID=E. 15