Resumed 4th Meeting of the Intersessional Process for Considering SAICM and the Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste Beyond 2020
Highlights of 27 February 2023
The resumed fourth meeting of the Intersessional Process (IP4) of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) convened on Monday and focused on: airing new formal proposals for the “Beyond 2020” instrument on the sound management of chemicals and waste; narrowing the proposed targets for the instrument to 20; discussing a name for the instrument; and developing a list of topics that need specific resolutions at the Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) in September 2023.
The plenary then heard presentations from proponents of new text proposals for the instrument for IP4 consideration. The Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) presented three proposals. One would have ICCM5 mandate that works on SAICM Emerging Policy Issues (EPIs) and issues of concern continue under current modalities until ICCM6, at which time proposals will be considered on the way forward from that point. A second proposal calls for the Beyond 2020 instrument to include three “implementing programs.” A third IOMC proposal would add to the instrument a “living” annex on measurability that can be readily updated.
The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a proposal to include a paragraph on the WHO Chemicals Roadmap for guiding enhanced facilitation by the implementation of SAICM and the Beyond 2020 instrument.
The Chemicals and Waste Youth Platform presented their proposal for a section in the instrument on “Children, Youth, and Intergenerational Protection” and related targets and indicators. They stressed that youth and children are being the most harmed but the least heard.
