The Ingenieur Vol 59 July-Sept 2014 The Ingenieur Vo. 59, July-Sept 2014 | Page 50

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organisations responsible for
implementation activities related
to the UNCED work was formed
to ensure the work proceeded in
a cooperative and coordinated
fashion.
Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labelling of
Chemicals
The most relevant international
source of information on chemical
safety is the Globally Harmonized
System of Classification and
Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
The GHS has been designed to
cover all chemicals, including
pure substances and mixtures,
and to provide for the chemical
hazard
communication
requirements for the workplace,
for the transport of dangerous
goods, and for consumers and
the environment. As such it is
a truly harmonized technical
system that has a far-reaching
impact on all national and
international chemical safety
regulations. The GHS have a
list of classification criteria
according to health, physical and
environmental hazards. Work on
the GHS started as a follow-up
to the adoption of the Chemicals
Convention, 1990 (No 170).
Strategic Approach to
International Chemicals
Management
The Strategic Approach to
International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a policy
framework for international
action to advance the sound
management of chemicals,
adopted by the International
Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) on February 6,
2006. SAICM has as its overall
objective the achievement of the

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sound management of chemicals
throughout their life cycle so
that, by 2020, chemicals are
produced and used in ways that
minimize significant adverse
impacts on human health and
the environment.
This “2020 Goal” was
adopted by the World Summit on
Sustainable Development in 2002
as part of the Johannesburg
Plan of Implementation. SAICM
is encouraging Governments to
establish a National Chemicals
Management
System
that
includes the following elements:
a. Adequate legislation,
b. Information gathering and
dissemination,
c. Capacity for risk assessment
and interpretation,
d. Establishment of risk management policy,
e. Capacity for implementation
and enforcement,
f. Capacity for rehabilitation
of contaminated sites and
poisoned persons,
g. Effective education programmes, and
h. Capacity to respond to
emergencie ˂