The global chemicals strategy SAICM (Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management), which was adopted in Dubai (UAE) in 2006, is a policy framework to foster the sound management of chemicals.
SAICM is supported not only by national governments, but also by international and non-governmental organizations in the environmental and development sectors, and by the chemical industry.
To date, the following SAICM emerging policy issues have been identified and are being addressed through specific projects:
- Lead in paint
- Chemicals in products
- Hazardous substances within the life cycle of electrical and electronic products
- Nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials
- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals
- Perfluorinated chemicals and the transition to safer alternatives
Within the SAICM process, Switzerland is focusing on the following points:
- ensuring an integrated, cross-sectoral chemicals policy;
- promoting coherence and synergies between existing international chemicals and waste processes;
- establishing a framework for active involvement of the private sector and civil society in meeting the global goal of ensuring, by 2020, the sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle;
- further developing the global strategy so that it can also be used to address new challenges in chemicals and waste management, such as nanotechnology and nanomaterials.
Further information
Last modification 07.02.2023
