Strategic goals and measurable objectives for chemicals and waste governance beyond 2020

The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) entails 46 objectives in five categories. Implementation is assessed through 20 indicators, yet these are incapable of tracking progress and in urgent need of renewal.

The intersessional process on SAICM and the sound management of chemicals and waste (SMCW) beyond 2020 provides an opportunity to enhance this approach. Experiences from other governance areas like biodiversity can be used to learn from: SAICM stakeholders should build a new set of strategic goals and measurable objectives, embedded in a strengthened overall framework.

The second meeting of the intersessional process in March 2018 should establish a working group open to all stakeholders to develop about 15 to 20 objectives integrating environmental, health, labour, agricultural and other aspects of SMCW. These objectives should be embedded into a renewed strategic framework containing an engaging vision, an implementation mechanism including national action plans, and a peer review and follow-up procedure.