Industrial Chemicals Management Scheme

You have chosen to investigate setting up or improving your Industrial Chemicals Management Scheme. The objective of this management scheme is to strengthen the capabilities of countries in assessing risks associated with industrial chemicals throughout their lifecycle and managing them safely. The aims of this scheme are the protection of human health and the environment from harmful effects of industrial chemicals, protecting biodiversity and contributing to a sustainable national development.

The next page will show the elements which make up an effective industrial chemicals management scheme.

It is recommended that any draft framework for the management of industrial chemicals should be discussed in an open and transparent process with all stakeholders from other government authorities, industry, non-governmental public health and environmental organisation, trade unions and other civil society organisations. Each stakeholder should contribute their specific expertise and interest in the development of the scheme. Furthermore any additional regulatory instruments or voluntary actions that may be put forward by stakeholders could be discussed.

NOTE: Classification and Labelling of hazardous chemicals and the use of safety data sheets is a fundamental building block in the sound management of chemicals including industrial chemicals. A separate module on setting up a classification and labelling scheme has been developed and is complementary to the present module on the management of industrial chemicals.