ICCA at the first meeting of the SAICM Intersessional Process, Brasilia, 7-9 February
Representatives from the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) joined leaders from government and non-governmental organizations in Brasilia from 7 – 9 February to review progress toward meeting the objectives of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), and to consider the future of SAICM.
Learn more about the first meeting of the SAICM intersessional process.
SAICM and its innovative, multi-stakeholder framework have brought together a diverse range of stakeholders to collaborate on addressing a wide range of issues and topics relative to chemicals management. It is well known that partnerships have played an integral role in advancing sound chemicals management globally. SAICM’s key value comes from its bridge-building and consensus-building framework to help global issues related to sound chemicals management.
ICCA has been a strong supporter of SAICM and a committed SAICM stakeholder from the beginning. Two voluntary initiatives – the Responsible Care® Global Charter and the Global Product Strategy – are ICCA’s contributions to SAICM implementation. The Charter reflects a commitment by more than 60 national and regional chemical associations, and CEOs of more than 400 of the world’s leading chemical companies, to institutionalize the sound management of chemicals in every aspect of their operations.
3 things you need to know about ICCA’s commitment to sound chemicals management:
We’ve developed the right tools. ICCA has developed a set of innovative tools and materials designed to help countries implement best practices in risk assessment and product stewardship into their own national chemical safety legislation.
We’re making real progress. ICCA works with companies and associations across the globe to spread and strengthen the Responsible Care ethic. Today, more than two-thirds of associations and their members are implementing the product stewardship principles embodied by Responsible Care and the Global Product Strategy.
We’re helping to move the UN’s sustainable development agenda forward. The products and technologies that depend on chemistry will play a critical role in meeting the challenges and targets set out across the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The capacity to manage chemicals safely also features in a meaningful way in all three dimensions of sustainable development – environmental, social and economic. The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides an opportunity to amplify the role chemical manufacturers have long played as innovators, solution providers, and drivers of economic growth, while at the same time, advancing sound chemicals management.
SAICM Beyond 2020
The trust and cooperation developed through the SAICM multi-stakeholder approach will continue to pay dividends as new issues emerge and work continues that requires the cooperation of all stakeholders.
Moving forward to 2020 and beyond, SAICM activities should be prioritized to focus on those that can make the biggest contribution to sound chemicals management, particularly in countries that lack the capacity to do so.
To achieve this, stakeholders should work with governments to support the creation of regulatory and framework and institutional capacity that will enable responsible production, handling and use of chemicals throughout their lifecycle, and that will accelerate and intensify the deployment of innovative products and technologies to address global challenges.
Originally posted https://www.icca-chem.org/2017/02/10/icca-at-the-1st-meeting-of-the-saicm-intersessional-process-brasilia-7-9-february/
