Global Chemical Industry welcomes action plan on chemicals agreed at Johannesburg summit
05 September 2002
Johannesburg, 4 September 2002 – “The global chemical industry welcomes the Action Plan on chemicals agreed by Heads of State at the World Summit on Sustainable Development”, says Alain Perroy, Council Secretary of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) and Director General of the European Chemical Industry
Council, Cefic.
This plan provides that, by 2020, chemicals be used and produced in ways that lead to minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment based on sound science, risk assessment, and risk management, following the precautionary approach as set out in the Rio agreement.
Embodying its commitment to sustainable development, the global chemical industry’s Responsible Care initiative - underway since 1985 – complements the actions required of governments on chemicals. Through this initiative, the chemical industry will step up its actions to continuously improve its health, safety and environmental performance, and to support developing countries in strengthening their capacity to manage chemicals safely.
ICCA also favours the implementation of a global system for the classification and labelling of chemicals by 2008, and the development of a global strategic approach to chemicals management by 2005.
The chemicals plan of implementation calls on governments to base the global strategic approach to chemicals on existing commitments by international bodies (Bahia Declaration and Priorities for Action Beyond 2000 developed by the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemicals Safety [IFCS]). ICCA will continue to participate constructively with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), IFCS and others in developing this strategy and taking actions to implement the IFCS Priorities for Action Beyond 2000.
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The International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) is the worldwide voice of the chemical industry, a sector with 2007 turnover of more than US$3 trillion. ICCA members come from countries that account for more than 70 per cent of global chemical manufacturing operations. Chemicals management, international climate negotiations, government and business partnerships, regulatory affairs, stakeholder outreach, advocacy and communications are key areas of focus for the Council which also promotes and co-ordinates Responsible Care® and other voluntary initiatives, advancing best practices within the industry.
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