Adopted by the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) on 6 February 2006 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a policy framework to foster the sound management of chemicals.

SAICM was developed by a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral Preparatory Committee and supports the achievement of the goal agreed at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development of ensuring that, by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health.

Progress in the implementation of SAICM was reviewed at the second session of the ICCM held from 11 to 15 May 2009.

IN FOCUS

Upcoming meetings
• 8-13 March 2010 Second Latin American and Caribbean regional meeting on SAICM, UNEP mercury consultation and associated workshops, Kingston

Other
• Invitation for comments on the draft Report on nanotechnologies and manufactured nanomaterials until 1 May 2010
• Report of the third Central and Eastern European regional meeting on SAICM
• Report of the fifth meeting of the African Core Group meeting on SAICM
• Commission on Sustainable Development