Global Best Practices on Emerging Policy Issues of Concern under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)

Published on January 14, 2020

SAICM was launched in 2006 with the overall objective of achieving the sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle so that by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health. Under SAICM, the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project "Global Best Practices on Emerging Policy Issues of Concern" aims to accelerate the adoption of national and value chain initiatives to control Emerging Policy Issues (EPIs) and contribute to the 2020 SAICM goal and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Progress were made during 2019, including: - The success of the USEtox summer school in Singapore in June - The identification of Chemicals of Concern and potential alternatives - The compilation of chemical properties databases - The adaptation of USEtox for priority CoC-product combinations in toys and building materials - The good progress in the development of new models for near-field exposure - SAICM GEF project has received funds and kicked off the implementation. Some of the key milestones for 2020 include the finalisation of models for new USEtox-related tools and testing in industry of the toys and building products sectors as well as capacity development, and pilot testing of new models in USEtox by companies in toys and building products sectors.