This website contributes to raising NGOs awareness and understanding of the policy discussions on sound chemicals and waste management. The platform was developed in the framework of the project “SAICM Beyond 2020: Building NGO capacity on preventive chemicals policies in Europe and beyond: Networking towards a global non-toxic environment and the achievement of the SDGs,“ and provides information that is mostly linked to the SAICM and EU chemicals policy processes.

Visitors to the site will find here a toolbox of capacity-building materials and positions for advocacy work linked to the Intersessional Process for updating the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). The developed materials facilitate NGO involvement in the elaboration of the future arrangements of the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020.

SAICM, adopted in 2006, is currently undergoing revision and upgrading. In contrast to the chemicals and waste conventions that are binding, specific and limited in scope, SAICM is a voluntary multistakeholder and multilateral agreement. It covers issues on chemicals and wastes beyond those already regulated by the existing chemical conventions. SAICM is a forum for knowledge generation and capacity building on novel problems prioritized by different stakeholders, including NGOs. Furthermore, the multistakeholder and voluntary nature allows civil society organizations to participate in the formulation of agreement texts and decision-making for and implementation of the agreement.

This website is part of a project, carried out by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), and Health and Environment Justice Support (HEJSupport).

The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMU). The publisher is responsible for the content of the website and publications.