SAICM Process

SAICM’s objective and history

The SAICM process is special as it follows a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral approach, while at the same time highest political levels are involved. Eventually the process is formally recognized by the governing bodies of key intergovernmental organizations. [2]

SAICM's overall objective is the achievement of 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 (= the “2020 goal”).

Originally initiated in 2002, at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa the 1st International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM1) took place in 2006 in Dubai, followed by proceeding international conferences, which are now taking place on a regular basis (ICCM2 in Geneva, ICCM3 in Nairobi, ICCM4 in Geneva). On the ICCM1 the “2020 goal” for chemicals was initially agreed on and since then it has been reiterated within multiple preparatory meetings and conferences.

The last ICCM4 (October 2015) brought together over 800 participants and provided momentum for achieving the sound management of chemicals by 2020 and beyond (“SAICM beyond 2020”). The 5th International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), planned for 2020, has been postponed due to the pandemic but is planned to take place in 2023 in Bonn (Germany).[3]

In 2019 the Global Chemicals Outlook II of UNEP clarified that the “2020 goal” for chemicals will not been achieved. SAICM's mandate expired at the end of 2020 and the decision on the future of international chemicals and waste management after 2020 will be made at the ICCM5. Until the closing of the ICCM5, Germany (Dr. Anita Breyer, Germany, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection) holds the presidency of the ICCM5 bureau. [4]

SAICM beyond 2020 framework

In preparation to the SAICM beyond 2020 framework formal and non-formal preparatory meetings (“Intersessional Processes”) are regularly taking place on international level (Brasil, Sweden, Thailand, Uruguay). The next “Intersessional Process” (IP4) preparatory meeting to discuss recommendations for a future SAICM policy framework will be held in virtually and in person in Bucharest, Rumania, from 29 August till 2 September 2022.

ISC3 and SAICM

At the ISC3 we support SAICM’s mission to achieve the sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle so that chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health.

Historically viewed, the establishment of ISC3 is the German contribution to political international processes (such as the SAICM Process) or other relevant global chemical conventions (e.g. Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm), whereas our main goals is to drive forward an international breakthrough of Sustainable Chemistry.

In the past the ISC3 has held a workshop on how chemistry can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (“Striving towards a common understanding of Sustainable Chemistry”, Bankok, September 2019). The ISC3 presented its initial thought-starter on “Reaping the full potential of Sustainable Chemistry for SAICM” which has been submitted in the context of the 3rd meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG-3) by SAICM and UNEP (Montevideo, Uruguay, April 2019). At the same time the ISC3 kick-started the ISC3 Global Start-Up Service (GSS), which consults start-ups with focus on Sustainable Chemistry innovations via a briefing "Driving transformation towards Sustainable Chemistry” and provides a best-practice example on fostering Sustainable Chemistry innovation.