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The International Conference on Chemicals Management was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 4 to 6 February 2006. Organized by the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and a number of other UN and non-UN organisations dealing with the sound management of chemicals, the high-level and multi-sectoral meeting was attended by over 600 participants from more than 140 Governments and numerous intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. Participants completed negotiations and adopted the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), consisting of the Dubai Declaration on International Chemicals Management, the Overarching Policy Strategy and the Global Plan of Action, together with resolutions on implementation arrangements, a “Quick Start Programme”, the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety and a tribute to the host Government. The Strategic Approach aims to achieve the goal agreed at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development of ensuring that, by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health. The scope of the Strategic Approach includes: Since its inception, the ILO has participated in the development of the Strategic Approach and will continue its action in this area. In this respect, Mr. Assane Diop, Executive Director of the Social Protection Sector, addressed the Conference underlying the need for the sound management of chemicals [read the intervention made by Mr. Assane Diop]. In Dubai, the European Union (EU) warmly welcomed this international Strategic Approach. The EU is currently working on a new European regulatory framework for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH). REACH was in development for three years before a version of the chemicals policy was adopted in December 2005. The purpose of the new European system is to ensure that gaps in existing information on the hazardous properties of some 30,000 chemicals are filled and that the necessary information on the safe use of substances is transmitted along the industrial supply chain leading to reduced risks for workers, for consumers, and for the environment. It will replace 40 existing legal acts and create a single system for all chemical substances. The European Parliament and Council will make a final decision on REACH in autumn 2006. The entry into force of the Regulation is expected for spring 2007 and will lead to the introduction of a new European Chemicals Agency responsible for the management and the registration of substances. Accordingly the operational requirements of REACH are expected to start to be applied from 2008 onwards. In the long run, REACH is likely to become a key element of the UN’s Strategic Approach on chemicals and will facilitate the integration of its objectives in European countries.
Updated by CD. Approved by GS. Last update: 31.03.2006.
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