Chemicals & Sustainable Development

Modern society’s reliance on chemicals for virtually all manufacturing processes make chemicals production one of the major sectors of the global economy. However, this reliance comes with costs: heavy use of water and energy and potential adverse impacts on the environment and human health.

The diversity and potential severity of such impacts make sound chemicals management a key cross-cutting issue for sustainable development. However, an effective mechanism for joint action for the majority of chemicals that have yet to be covered by existing multilateral environment agreements such as the BRS Conventions - is yet to come.

It is against this backdrop that delegates to the fourth session of the Intersessional Process for Considering the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020 (IP4) advanced their work toward a future framework on chemicals and waste.

The resulting “zero draft” document covers the vision, scope, principles, strategic objectives, targets, institutional arrangements, implementing measures, financial considerations, and procedures to guide global efforts for years to come.