While the chemicals industry produces many useful products and has made progress in reducing its environmental footprint, chemicals can still have a negative impact on human health and the environment. Risk management concerns the final step in chemical oversight when decisions are made about how to manage products' use so that society can take advantage of their benefits while minimising risk. As chemicals are traded around the world, and emissions of pollutants cross national borders, there are many benefits to governments and industry working together to manage chemical risks.

The core objective of OECD's work on risk management is to support Member countries' efforts to develop national policies and actions, and, where appropriate, to develop international risk management measures. The programme includes Chemical Product Policy, Perfluorooctane Sulfonate, Brominated Flame Retardants, Using Non-Regulatory Means to Manage Risks , Risk Communication, Socio-Economic Analysis, Sustainable Chemistry, Tools for R and D Screening, Cadmium, Lead, Methylene Chloride and Mercury .

OECD governments, academia, NGOs and industry work together to identify best practices and new techniques for managing risks, and then develop methodologies that can be used by governments and industry. In addition, if governments agree on the risks posed by a particular chemical, they can work together to take concerted action across OECD countries.

Today, most of OECD's work is focused on developing guidance for risk management that apply to the chemical industry as a whole. This includes: guidance for conducting socio-economic analysis; guidance on risk communication; listing tools to help companies screen potentially dangerous chemicals before they are manufactured; and promoting the development of environmentally benign chemicals.