Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)
SAICM basically plans to address the sound management of chemicals by applying best management practices to chemicals throughout their life cycle to prevent, to reduce or minimize the potential for exposure of people and the environment to toxic and hazardous chemicals. This requires strengthened governance, and improved techniques and technologies in the importation, use, storage, and disposal or recovery of chemicals in Belize.
The sound management of chemicals aids Belize in meeting its international obligations. In so doing, the sound management of chemicals is related to the eight (8) Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and has given most importance to the linkages between the sound management of chemicals and MDG-7: ensuring environmental sustainability. Basically, SMC linkages with the MDGs illustrates that strong SMC contributes to achievement of all of the MDGs, while weak SMC has the potential to impede achievement of the goals. However, chemicals play an important role with respect to human development more broadly and without good management practices they can pose significant risks to human health and the environment, with the poorest members of the global community most vulnerable to their negative effects.
The Sound Management of Chemicals (SMC) should be considered an important component of a country’s efforts to reduce global poverty and achieve the MDGs.
What is SAICM?
SAICM is not a legally-binding treaty. It does, however, constitute a global political commitment on the part of governments and others that recognizes health and environmental harms caused by chemical exposure and that pledges effective action to reform how chemicals are produced and used in order to minimize that harm. SAICM provides an overarching strategy to address problems of chemical management nationally and globally.
Back to top
Chemicals of Concern
· persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances (PBTs);
· chemicals that are carcinogens or mutagens or that adversely affect the reproductive, endocrine, immune or nervous systems;
· persistent organic pollutants (POPs);
· mercury and other chemicals of global concern;
· chemicals used or produced in high volumes;
· chemicals subject to widespread dispersive use; and
· other chemicals of concern at the national level.
Back to top
SAICM II Project: Belize
Executing agency: UNDP
Implementing Agency: Department of the Environment, Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development
Launched: July, 2012
Duration of Project: 18 months
Back to top
Project Title
“Development of a coherent legal and institutional framework in Belize for the Sound Management of Chemicals (SMC)”
Back to top
Project Purpose
SAICM PHASE II is an initiative by the Government of Belize and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) which assist countries in the development of legal and institutional infrastructures for sound management of chemicals and measures for recovering the cost for national administration.
Back to top
Project Outcomes
1. Inter-Ministerial coordination strengthened.
2. Legal and institutional coherence for sound management of chemicals increased.
3. Strengthened national legal and technical capacity to respond to SAICM and meet chemicals respective provisions of the international multilateral agreements such as Stockholm, Basel and Rotterdam Conventions, Montreal Protocol, UN ECE CLRTAP Heavy Metals and Persistent Organic Pollutants Protocols compliance and reporting obligations, and participate fully as a party to the above-mentioned international agreements, ensuring synergy implementation between all listed international instruments.
Back to top
Project Team & Focal Point
Project Team
Victor Alegria, Project Manager
Email: doe.saicm@ffsd.gov.bz
Contact details:
SAICM Manager
Department of the Environment
Market Square
Belmopan, Belize
Tel: (501) 802-2816 / (501) 802-2542
Fax: (501) 802-2862
Focal Point
Martin Alegria, Chief Environmental Officer, Department of the Environment, Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development/ SAICM National Focal Point
Back to top
Project Documents
· National Situation Report
· Economic Analysis Framework
· Economic/Cost-Benefit Analysis Report
· Policy Options Analysis Report
· Belize Chemicals Management Priority Issues Concept Papers
· Chemicals Management Mainstreaming/ Action Plan
· DRAFT National Profile on the Management of Chemicals and Waste
· DRAFT National Profile on the Management of Chemicals and Waste APPENDIX
Back to top
Other Related Documents
· UNEP, Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management: SAICM Texts and Resolutions of the International Conference on Chemicals Management
· UNDP Technical Guide for Integrating the Sound Management of Chemicals in MDG-Based Policies and Plans
Back to top
