Worldwide Chemicals Management Initiative (GFC (post SAICM))

SAICM specifies international strategies and activities for achieving the goal (aiming to achieve, by 2020, that chemicals are used and produced in ways that lead to the minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment) that was agreed in the World Summit held in 2002.

GFC specifies international vision, strategic objectives and targets to promote inclusive, voluntary and global chemicals management by multi-stakeholders which was adopted in 2023 as a successor of SAICM.

History

1992 “UN Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit)” (Rio de Janeiro)

The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development was announced, and Chapter 19 of “Agenda 21” adopted by the Conference addressed promotion of international chemicals management.

2002 “World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)” (Johannesburg)

The Summit adopted the WSSD2020 goal, “aiming to achieve, by 2020, that chemicals are used and produced in ways that lead to the minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment”. The member countries committed to global chemicals management that is appropriate to the risk of the chemicals.

2006 “First session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM-1)” (Dubai)

ICCM-1 adopted the “Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)”.

Countries in the world have made efforts toward the WSSD2020 goal by establishing their own action plans based on the agreements made in SAICM. In Japan, the Ministry of the Environment announced “SAICM National Implementation Plan of Japan in September 2012” and actions have been promoted through progress sharing including at the Policy Dialogue for Chemicals and the Environment in Japan. The global goal was not achieved by 2020 and stakeholders had discussed for further efforts.

2023 “Fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM-5)” (Bonn)

ICCM-5 adopted Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste (GFC)” (ICCM5 was originally scheduled for October 2020, but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic). GFC is multistakeholder and multisectoral in nature for lifecycle of chemicals with ambitious targets, being implemented through taking stock of progress, implementation program and the integrated approaches to financing.

For Safer Use of Chemicals

For Safer Use of Chemicals

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