International Chemicals and Waste Management

NGO Vision of the Beyond 2020 Framework

Chemical and waste pollution is one of the fundamental crises the world is facing now, including biodiversity loss, climate change and resource depletion. A robust new framework on chemicals and waste management will help address these crises and contribute to achieving healthy and just lives for the current and future generations. On this website, A Group of NGOs working on Issues of Concern presents its vision of the scope and key features of the future Beyond 2020 strategy on sound chemicals and waste management. This information resource includes NGO position papers, capacity-building materials, and news related to the Beyond 2020 Chemicals and Waste Framework policy process.

Our demands

Overaching framework

The Beyond 2020 Framework should become an umbrella global strategy for all existing and future treaties on chemicals and waste, including legally binding and voluntary agreements.

Sustainable Financing

The Beyond 2020 framework should ensure sustainable financing to support its implementation. In addition to the Integrated Approach to long-term funding of the Chemicals and Waste Agenda, it should incorporate novel approaches focusing on the polluter-pays principle in relation to cost-internalization.

Mandatory National Action Plans

The Beyond 2020 framework should request governments to mandatory develop and implement national action plans (NAPs) addressing the Strategic Objectives and targets of the framework. A report on progress made should be publicly available and provided to the International Conference on Chemicals Management.

Issues of Concern

The Beyond 2020 framework should step up the work with the existing SAICM Issues of Concern and suggested candidates, including through binding instruments.

Information transparency

The Beyond 2020 framework should request the industry to make data and information on the health and environmental effects of chemicals throughout their life cycle available to stakeholders. Information on chemicals relating to the health and safety of humans and the environment should not be regarded as confidential, fully implementing the right to know.

Stakeholder engagement

The role of civil society in SAICM has always been based on equal participation in all related activities, including the decision-making process. The Beyond 2020 framework should sustain this tradition and preserve the inclusive character of the new framework.

Gender and chemicals

The Beyond 2020 framework should include Women and Chemicals as a new issue of concern to facilitate mainstreaming gender into sound chemicals and waste management at the national and international levels.

Vulnerable populations

The Beyond 2020 framework should acknowledge that vulnerable populations unjustifiably suffer from toxic chemical exposure. It should ensure that vulnerable groups are protected from harmful chemicals, waste, and regrettable substitutions and are part of related decision-making processes.

Reflections from ICCM5

What SAICM and the new Global Framework on Chemicals mean for the work of NGOs

Latest Materials

Have a look at our publications to learn more

Input to High Level Declaration

A group of NGOs provided input to a Possible High-Level Declaration of the Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5)

Visit our SAICM online courses

A new online course on SAICM Issues of Concern provides opportunities for civil society organizations and country representatives to discuss the remaining steps to renew SAICM as SAICM’s current mandate ends. The course is available in English and Russian.

Visit the online course platform

Want to have a quick overview about the outcome of the Virtual Working Groups?

Watch this short film

The Global Minimum Transparency Standard

The Global Minimum Transparency Standard (GMTS) is a tool for companies to disclose hazardous chemicals in their products throughout the whole product lifecycle. It will help achieve equal access to information for all stakeholders, irrespective of country and within and outside the supply chains. It is a step toward stricter regulation or even a complete phase-out of hazardous chemicals leading to global human health and environmental safety.

Visit the GMTS Website

Submission on the Science-Policy-Interface discussion

HEJSupport coordinated 11 NGOs in providing comments on the discussion on the Science-Policy Interface in the SAICM VWG on Governance and mechanism to support implementation.

Read the submission

Submissions to the VWGs

A group of NGOs, coordinated by HEJSupport, SSNC, and PAN International submitted comments to the compilation text of recommendations from the outcome of IP3. Comments were prepared at the request of cofacilitators of SAICM VWGs on governance and mechanisms to support implementation, on Issues of Concern, and on Objectives and Targets

Find all submissions here

NGO submission to the High Level Ministerial Declaration

A group of NGOs prepared comments to the first draft of the High Level Declaration (HLD). The Declaration is planned to be adopted at the fifth meeting of the International Conference on Chemicals Management in 2023.

Find the submission here

What we do

Find more information about how civil society organizations contribute to sound chemical and waste management.

Critical decisions of the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5)

Posted by Alexandra Caterbow
On 4. October 2023

The 5th International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM 5) and the resumed 4th meeting of the Intersessional Process to Consider the...

Comments on the zero draft High Level Declaration

Posted by Alexandra Caterbow
On 3. October 2023

During the third session of the fourth meeting of the Intersessional Process (IP4.3) to finalize critical issues in the zero draft...

Webinar: ICCM5 Non-papers and information documents

Posted by Alexandra Caterbow
On 13. September 2023

On September 13, 2023, before IP4.3 and ICCM5, project partners organized a virtual capacity-building meeting with sub-grantees and other NGOs working...

Comments on the Non-paper on Strategic Objectives and Targets for IP4 of the beyond 2020 instrument on chemicals and waste

Posted by Alexandra Caterbow
On 5. September 2023

For the resumed fourth meeting of the intersessional process (IP 4) considering the Strategic Approach and sound management of chemicals and...

Submission to UNEP consultation on Issues of Concern

Posted by Alexandra Caterbow
On 1. September 2023

HEJSupport and SSNC participated in the UNEP consultation on Issues of Concern (IOCs): Priorities for further work and potential further international...