Wikipedia
The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a global policy framework to foster the sound management of chemicals. The SAICM Secretariat is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme.
''"The sound management of chemicals is essential if we are to achieve sustainable development, including the eradication of poverty and disease, the improvement of human health and the environment and the elevation and maintenance of the standard of living in countries at all levels of development." ''- Dubai, 2006
It was adopted by the International Conference on Chemicals Management in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 6 February 2006. The first session of the Conference and the process to develop the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management were co-convened by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) and the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS).
The Strategic Approach supports the achievement of the goal agreed at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development of ensuring that, by the year 2020, chemicals will be produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health. It acknowledges the essential contributions of chemicals in the current societies and economies, while recognizing the potential threat to sustainable development if chemicals are not managed soundly.
(As of 12 June 2015) The Strategic Approach focal points include 175 Governments, 85 NGOs, including a broad range of representatives from industry and civil society.