Print pageModalities for reporting on progress with the implementation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management were adopted at the second session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) held 11-15 May 2009. The modalities include:
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a set of 20 indicators to be used by all stakeholders in reporting on progress,
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arrangements for the preparation of a baseline report for the period 2006-2008: and
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arrangements for subsequent periodic reporting to sessions of the ICCM, commencing at the third session of ICCM to be held in 2012 when a first report on progress to 2011 would be considered.
Project to develop draft reporting modalities
In order to assist the development of appropriate reporting modalities, the Government of Canada sponsored a project to develop draft indicators for reporting progress on SAICM implementation and a baseline report. The project was carried out by the consulting firm Resource Futures International, with guidance provided by an international project steering committee (IPSC). The outputs of the project comprised a set of indicators and and a baseline report.
Testing the draft indicators (pilots)
Following the completion of the Government of Canada-sponsored project, the secretariat encouraged Governments and other organizations to test the questionnaires and share the experience obtained. Accordingly, the secretariat coordinated a pilot testing phase from May to July 2008 in order that the practical experience gained could be analyzed and made available to assist further discussion of the draft indicators. Nine Governments participated in the pilot testing; three Governments from the Central Eastern European region, Belarus, the Czech Republic, and Romania; four Governments from the African region, Egypt, Liberia, Nigeria, and South Africa; the Government of Panama from the Latin America and the Caribbean region and the Government of Germany from the Western European and Others Group.
One industry group, ICCA, also participated in the pilot testing of the possible indicators for industry and provided a submission on its experience. A submission on the proposed reporting modalities was also received from the African region, prepared during its second regional meeting on SAICM held in Dar es Salaam from 16 to 17 July 2008.
The results of the pilot testing were compiled and considered at the informal discussions held to assist preparations for the second session of the Conference
Compilation of the results of pilot testing of possible indicators: 
Overview of reporting project outcomes:
Outcomes from the Informal Discussions
Stakeholders at the informal discussions held in Rome on 23 and 24 October 2008 to assist preparation for the second session of the Conference requested that a revised set of proposed indicators be prepared to simplify them, render them more user-friendly and less resource-intensive.
They agreed that the international project steering group that had earlier provided assistance to the Government of Canada-sponsored project be reconvened, with additional new participants, and be requested to produce a single set of between 15-20 indicators taking into account the earlier proposed indicators and the results of the pilot testing.
A teleconference of the international project steering group was scheduled for 17 December 2008 to discuss the following proposed set of revised indicators prepared by the secretariat.
Teleconference document under consideration
Summary record of teleconference held on 17 December 2008
The International Project Steering Committee agreed that the proposal of the secretariat should be forwarded for consideration by the second session of the Conference.