Est. 2min 09-02-2006 (updated: 04-06-2012 ) Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a voluntary agreement dealing with risk assessments of chemicals and standardised labelling. The deal gives a boost to the EU’s own draft REACH regulation. Over 100 environment and health ministers adopted a new international approach to the safe production, transport, storage, use and disposal of chemicals worldwide at a UN Conference in Dubai on 6 February. Known as the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), the initiative is a voluntary agreement that deals with risk assessments of chemicals and standardised labelling. It also aims to tackle obsolete and stockpiled products. Global production of chemicals is set to climb by as much as 80% over the next 15 years, with an estimated 1,500 new chemicals put on the market each year, according to the UN. But the UN raised concerns that chemical production is currently shifting from the developed to the developing world where safety rules are less stringent. The statement is echoed by the European Commission who says that, “while 16 countries accounted for 80% of global chemicals production in 1998, production of high volume basic chemicals is increasingly moving out of industrialised countries towards developing countries”. To tackle this problem, the conference agreed on “a multi million dollar fund called ‘Quick Start’ Programme to give financial support to national action plans, especially in least developed countries”. “Strong emphasis will be placed on capacity-building and technical assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition,” the European Commission said. Read more with Euractiv EU to strengthen natural disaster response The Commission proposes strengthening the EU's civil protection mechanism to assist European countries respond to floods, droughts, forest fires and terrorist attacks at home and abroad. Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters Positions"All kinds of chemicals are vital in the modern world," said Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on 7 February in Dubai. "They have a key role in overcoming poverty and delivering sustainable development. Nevertheless […] some seemingly benign products can prove to have deleterious impacts". "Developing countries need help in terms of the better use, handling and disposal of chemicals," he added. Welcoming the agreement in Dubai, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said that the EU's upcoming chemicals regulation, REACH, "will help the EU to fulfil the objectives of SAICM". "It was extremely difficult to reach an agreement," the Commission said, adding that "the USA […] tried, unsuccessfully, to prevent SAICM becoming a relevant source of guidance in interpreting legally binding agreements". According to the Commission, "the EU was able to give SAICM a broad scope going beyond agricultural and industrial chemicals to cover household products and biocides". The statement added that "where there was a lack of full scientific certainty, this should not prevent precautionary measures to protect human health in cases where there were threats of serious or irreversible damage". In December 2005, the EU Environment Council recommended that the strategic approach prioritised the most dangerous chemicals that are currently being considered under the draft REACH regulation. The Council listed the following priority substances: "Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic substances (PBTs), very Persistent and very Bioaccumulative substances (vPvB), chemicals that are carcinogens or mutagens or adversely effect reproductive, endocrine, immune or nervous system, including all forms of asbestos; persistent organic pollutants (POPs); and mercury and other metals of global concern." The Council also recommended that SAICM refers to "the use of the precautionary principle and substitution" and that it "encourages research on and development and use of non-chemical alternatives". BackgroundExisting UN treaties already deal with international chemical pollution. This includes the 1994 Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which covers chemicals like the pesticide DDT and substances such as PCBs once widely used in certain kinds of electrical equipment. In 2002, the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg followed up with an agreement to ban, by 2020, the use and production of toxic chemicals hazardous to human health and environment. In the EU, the Commission tabled in 2003 its highly controversial draft REACH regulation, which seeks to assess the estimated 100,000 chemicals currently on the European market. It still needs to be formally adopted. Timeline SAICM will be followed up by an Overarching Policy Strategy and a Global Plan of Action Further ReadingEuropean Union Commission (Press release):Europe welcomes Dubai Declaration as the first global agreement to achieve sound management of chemicals(7 Feb. 2006) Commission (Press release):Commissioner Dimas at Dubai environmental meetings to advance global sustainability agenda(3 Feb. 2006) [FR] [FR] [DE] Council (Press release):Environment[SAICM conclusions, p. 12] (2 Dec. 2005) International Organisations UNEP (Press release)New Global Chemicals Strategy Given Green Light by Governments(7 Feb. 2006) UNEP:Draft SAICM high-level declaration(28 Oct. 2005) UNEP:International Conference on Chemicals Management, Dubai, 4-6 February 2006 [FR] EU Actors positions European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC):Responsible care global charter(2006) European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC):Health, Safety & the Environment NGOs and Think-Tanks Earth Negotiations Bulletin:ICCM AND GCSS-9/GMEF highlights(6 Feb. 2006) Toxicslink.org:SAICM finally adopted(8 Feb. 2006) International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD):Chemicals management WWF:Africa stockpiles programme - Cleaning up obsolete pesticides in Africa Greenpeace:Eliminate toxic chemicals
