The Chemicals and Biosafety Committee (CBC) in its vision for contributing to the OECD Development Strategy aims to promote a better integration of chemical safety into development co-operation and to raise awareness about the major role of OECD as a knowledge-sharing organisation on sound chemicals management for all countries, in line with their national priorities and contexts.
Bridging experience to strengthen global chemicals policy
The OECD’s capacity-building activities are grounded in policy dialogue, peer learning and the promotion of OECD standards. OECD initiatives foster mutual exchange among countries, creating a space where Members and non-Members can share experiences and learn from one another.
Key messages
Requests for support from non-Member countries target areas where the OECD holds exclusive or leading expertise, such as chemical accident prevention, the management of industrial and consumer chemicals, the establishment of Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers, the implementation of Best Available Techniques and countering illegal trade in pesticides. Many of these areas are not covered by other international organisations, or not with the same regulatory depth. By operating within the IOMC framework, the OECD ensures its efforts complement those of other intergovernmental organisations while maintaining its distinct focus on policy reform.
The OECD has developed, with various partners, tools designed specifically to address the needs of countries that are looking for expertise on how to establish/further develop their chemicals management framework.
Among these tools is the IOMC Toolbox for Decision-Making in Chemicals Management: it is a problem solving tool that enables countries to identify the most appropriate and efficient national actions to address specific national problems related to chemicals management. It provides guidance for the implementation of the five strategic objectives and 28 targets in the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) - For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste.
The OECD has also developed a global portal to information on chemical substances, the eChemPortal. This portal enables users to gain efficiencies when carrying-out or reviewing hazard assessment of chemicals by having access to existing health and environmental effects information.
A variety of other OECD tools have also been developed to help governments review registration dossiers submitted by registrants and to take decisions about risk assessment and risk management of chemicals. These tools include test methods, guidance documents and best practices on a variety of topics (risk assessment, exposure, risk management, risk communication), toolboxes, information portals.
What do we do?
The OECD is a forum for countries to share knowledge and lessons learned through capacity development activities. The OECD networks of national experts are directly involved in implementing national legislation and therefore can advise other countries based on real national experience. This work supports the development and enhancement of national frameworks for chemicals management as an essential contribution to the implementation of the United Nations Global Framework on Chemicals [ENV/CBC(2024)8]. This work benefits from the recognition of the OECD as the “go-to” multidisciplinary think tank for policymakers, but also more and more as a “do tank” that supports governments in their policy reforms. To guide governments in their efforts for policy reform, the OECD has developed evidence-based standards and best practices.
IOMC Toolbox: For decision making in chemicals management
The IOMC Internet-based Toolbox for Decision Making in Chemicals Management (IOMC Toolbox) is aimed at countries who wish to address specific national issues regarding chemicals management.
The IOMC Toolbox is a problem solving tool that enables countries to identify the most appropriate and efficient national actions to address specific national problems related to chemicals management.
The toolbox identifies the available IOMC resources that will help the country address the identified national problem(s) or objectives. Special focus is given to identifying simple cost effective solutions to national chemicals management issues.
Through the different management schemes, it can help implement the five strategic objectives and 28 targets in the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC) - For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste.
