Principles and Approaches of Sustainable Development and Chemicals Management for a Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)

This report, prepared by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) for Switzerland, identifies and analyzes 15 principles and approaches of sustainable development and chemicals management for incorporation into the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). The study provides descriptions, origins, and proposed textual language for these concepts to establish common ground for the SAICM's development and implementation, specifically aiming for the 2020 goal of minimizing adverse effects of chemicals on human health and the environment.

• The study identifies 15 principles and approaches relevant to the SAICM, though it recommends listing only 13 in the Overarching Policy Strategy (OPS) because the 'life cycle approach' and 'confidential business information' are components of other principles.
• Integrated Chemicals Management (ICM) is presented as an overarching concept that coordinates the entire chemical life cycle. It consists of four major components: a life cycle approach, stakeholder involvement, coordination across and between governments, and the pursuit of synergies to avoid duplication of effort.
• Inter-generational equity is defined as the obligation of the present generation to sustain the global environment and resource base for future generations. In chemicals management, this is critical because contamination can cause "grave damage to human health, genetic structures and reproductive outcomes."
• Precaution is a decision-making tool used when scientific information is insufficient but there are threats of serious or irreversible damage. The report notes that in international chemicals management, precaution has expanded to include human health and is often applied actively rather than passively.
• The report distinguishes between different applications of proportionality. It warns that a strict "least-restrictive" or "least-burdensome" means test—such as that found in the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)—can make the precautionary approach impossible by requiring extensive cost-benefit analyses before regulation.
• The 'polluter pays' principle, or internalization of costs, uses market and regulatory instruments to ensure those responsible for pollution bear the full environmental and social costs, reflecting these in the market price of goods and services.
• Public participation is based on three pillars: access to information, access to decision-making, and access to justice. The 'right to know' is a specific aspect of access to information, emphasizing that the public should have access to risks regarding chemical accidents, manufacturing, use, and disposal.
• Confidential Business Information (CBI) creates tension with the public's right to know. The report suggests that for the purposes of the SAICM, information regarding the health and safety of humans and the environment should not be regarded as confidential.
• Good governance is identified as essential for sustainable development and specifically for the prevention and punishment of illegal traffic in hazardous wastes and restricted chemicals.
• Cooperation among States is linked to 'common but differentiated responsibilities' (CBDR), recognizing that developed countries have special obligations to provide technical and financial assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition due to their different contributions to environmental degradation.
• Liability mechanisms, such as those in the Basel Convention's Liability and Compensation Protocol, focus on providing compensation after injury. The report notes that well-structured liability can act as a deterrent, inducing entities to internalize risk costs and seek safer alternatives.

APA

Wiser, G. M., & Jr., D. B. M. (2005). Principles and Approaches of Sustainable Development and Chemicals Management for a Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). Center for International Environmental Law. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SAICM_PrinciplesStudyFinal_July05.pdf

Chicago

Wiser, Glenn M., and Daniel B. Magraw, Jr. Principles and Approaches of Sustainable Development and Chemicals Management for a Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). Center for International Environmental Law, 2005. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SAICM_PrinciplesStudyFinal_July05.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Wiser |first1=Glenn M. |last2=Jr. |first2=Daniel B. Magraw, |title=Principles and Approaches of Sustainable Development and Chemicals Management for a Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) |publisher=Center for International Environmental Law |date=July 2005 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SAICM_PrinciplesStudyFinal_July05.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wiser2005principles, author = {Wiser, Glenn M. and Jr., Daniel B. Magraw,}, title = {{Principles and Approaches of Sustainable Development and Chemicals Management for a Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2005}, month = jul, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SAICM_PrinciplesStudyFinal_July05.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }