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Integrating Sound Management of Chemicals into MDG-based development planning processes

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The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), adopted in February 2006, supports the achievement of the WSSD goal to ensure that, by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health. The Strategic Approach promotes cross-sectoral governance for the sound management of chemicals (SMC) at the national/local levels and identifies the need for the establishment of stronger links between chemicals management and development planning priorities, processes and plans of developing countries.

To help countries improve their chemicals management regime, UNDP assists national governments through provision of technical guidance and assistance in catalyzing environment finance for the sound management of chemicals to better integrate SMC into MDG-based National Development and Poverty Reduction Strategies.

UNDP Activities - Integrating SCM into MDG-based plans

UNDP Technical Guide for Integrating the Sound Management of Chemicals in MDG-Based Policies & Plans

The UNDP Technical Guide provides a systematic approach to countries to help assess their capacity for sound management of chemicals, identify needs, and ultimately “mainstream ” or incorporate identified priorities into national MDG-based development policies and plans.

The Technical Guide is based on applied, practical experience accumulated in pilot countries under the "UNDP-UNEP Partnership Initiative for the Integration of Sound Management of Chemicals (SMC) into Development Planning Processes"

Following a step-by-step approach, the Technical Guide describes in detail the proposed methodology, while addressing key considerations and providing “how-to” information associated with each step.

Download here the Technical Guide in English.

UNDP-UNEP Partnership Initiative on Chemicals

The primary objective of the Partnership Initiative is to facilitate the integration of sound management of chemicals into national development planning processes in order to support sustainable development in developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

Integrating sound management of chemicals into development plans such as Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers and strategies to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) involves establishing the links between poverty and sound chemical management such as improved human and environmental health, and increased economic security and income opportunities for the poor and then identifying the policies and programmes needed to bring about pro-poor chemical management. It also involves looking at potential chemical risks arising from implementing sections of the development plans, and trying to mitigate such risks at the planning stage.

The Partnership Initiative’s work on sound management of chemicals is targeted at influencing not only national plans, but also sector strategies and local level implementation. The overall aim is to establish enduring institutional processes within government ministries and the wider stakeholder community to bring about sound management of chemicals – focusing on the government bodies responsible for poverty reduction and growth policies, and also strengthening the role of environmental agencies and non-governmental actors. The process will also foster national budget commitments, in partnership with donor assistance, following the integration of chemical management priorities into national policy and planning documents.

The UNDP-UNEP Partnership Initiative on Chemicals is helping countries to:

Identify specific areas of chemicals management that are likely to result in concrete environmental, health and economic benefits as a result of introducing sound management practices, and put in place a plan to begin addressing identified national priorities.
Improve the integration of chemicals management priorities into national discussions, development processes, policies and plans.
Assess the adequacy of national development strategies in terms of protecting the environment and human health, and determine to what extent identified national chemical management priorities could be integrated into national MDG-based development planning.

The Partnership Initiative was launched in Uganda and Zambia in November 2007, in Macedonia in March 2008, and in Cambodia in June 2008. Funding was provided by the SAICM Quick Start Programme (QSP) Trust Fund, as well as the Swedish Government (through the Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate – KemI).

Throughout 2009, Partnership Initiative activities will be launched in Belarus, Belize, Ecuador, Honduras, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia and Mauritania, with support from the SAICM QSP Trust Fund.

More on the UNDP-UNEP Partnership Initiaitive in English, Spanish and French.

Support to international co-operation and co-ordination efforts towards improved chemicals management UNDP has been supporting the SAICM process through participation in Preparatory Committees and inter-sessional meetings, provision of funds and cooperation with other UN agencies. UNDP is part of the Implementation Committee for the SAICM Quick Start Programme (QSP) Trust Fund and is participating in the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) as an observer organization.