SAICM Stories

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In May of 2017, the Global Environment Facility approved the concept note for the project ‘Global best practices on emerging chemical policy issues of concern under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)’, a $9 million full-size project that is scheduled to begin in 2018 until 2020. The project will focus on the SAICM emerging policy issues (EPIs). These EPIs represent particular environmental and health problems and SAICM aims to forge cooperative action to address these issues. The project will focus on: phase out of lead in paint; lifecycle management in chemicals in products; and knowledge management strategies.

Reporting on SAICM implementation is a key tool in assessing progress towards the achievement of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation's goal of sound management of chemicals by 2020. Stakeholders across all sectors are encouraged to complete the survey so that their activities are reflected in the report. The deadline to complete the survey was 15 September 2017 and has now been extended until 31 March 2018.

On May 30, 2017, the Seventieth World Health Assembly approved the Road map to enhance health sector engagement in the strategic approach to international chemicals management towards the 2020 goal and beyond.  The road map identifies concrete actions where the health sector has either a lead or important supporting role to play in the sound management of chemicals, recognizing the need for multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder cooperation.

All SAICM stakeholders are invited to submit their input and suggestions to the Intersessional Process considering the Strategic Approach and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020.

The Strategic Approach secretariat and the Government of Germany are organising a side event at the Conference of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions on Tuesday 25 April, 6.15 p.m. to 7.45 p.m. / Room 15. The side event will be interactive and provide a platform for participants to discuss and exchange views and perspectives.

Thanks to the funding received from the Quick Start Programme Trust Fund, the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Africa implemented a number of activities with communities in Mali and Senegal to raise awareness and build capacity of civil society organizations and local communities to reduce risks related to pesticides use in agricultural and health sector, and to monitor and gather data on pesticide use and incidents of exposure to chemicals.

22th February 2017, the second round of applications is now open for 4 months. The deadline for all applications to be submitted to the Special Programme secretariat is Tuesday 20th June 2017 at midnight.

“We are aware of the benefits of the current time we live in. Today we can choose a similar toy from various producers, however, we do not usually take into consideration on the chemical composition and its possible harmful effects. This campaign reminded me to think twice before I buy a new toy for my child, and to choose smartly”, said one mother during the “The fight to know!” campaign".

Cátedra del Olmo set up a women's association, Hacia el Futuro (Towards the future) in the town of la Pascuala, Samaná region, Dominican Republic in 2008. The group started a cooperative to produce cleaning products, cooking them up on a small wood stove to begin with, and marketing them to local businesses including hotels, offices and hospitals. The income gave the women, most of them single parents, enough to feed their families.

A process to prepare recommendations regarding the Strategic Approach and sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020 will be launched in Brasilia, Brazil, from 7 to 9 February 2017. Approximately 300 participants representing governments, industry, United Nations agencies and civil society are expected to participate.

When industrial disasters make the headlines, we often sit up and take notice. Could it happen near me? Whether it strikes a gas and petroleum company, a chemicals warehouse or a fertilizer plant, first thoughts go to victims and communities’ understandable anger. When the dust settles, ensuing debate can result in positive change and sometimes increased understanding of the risks, and the costs of inaction to manage chemicals better.

Chemicals are everywhere, more than 100,000 of them. Their long scientific names and complex formulas make the simplest things possible: food, toys, clothes, our phones and more. Chemicals have the power to build economies, sustain societies, cure the sick, entertain, feed and clothe us. The ways in which we use chemicals can make the difference between environmental degradation and rich resources, between health and illness

The Global Waste Management Outlook, a collective effort of the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Waste Management Association, is a pioneering scientific global assessment on the state of waste management and a call for action to the international community. The document establishes the rationale and the tools for taking a holistic approach towards waste management and recognizing waste and resource management as a significant contributor to sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

A call for attention and action on environmentally persistent pharmaceutical pollutants presented at the 4th International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) in September 2015. Stakeholders of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) consider a proposal to include environmentally persistent pharmaceutical pollutants as an emerging policy issue at ICCM4

Regulatory requirements, customer demands, media attention, non-governmental organization advocacy, product recalls, and market opportunities are driving companies to know more about the chemicals in their products and supply chains. This has led to an increasing demand for higher transparency. The use of Chemicals in Products information systems clearly demonstrate the value of knowing about chemicals that products contain.

UN environment has developed a guidance document Legal and Institutional infrastructures for the Sound Management of Chemicals and measures for costs Recovery of national Administration. Known as LIRA guidance, it aims to provide practical support to countries when developing or strengthening national legislation and institutional structures for achieving sound management of chemicals, including measures for financing the costs associated with the national administration.