So far, what concrete impacts has the Strategic Approach to Integrated Chemicals Management (SAICM) had on chemicals management in national contexts? This brief summarizes a study that aimed to find out by asessing how SAICM has been implemented in Tanzania.
Tanzania was chosen as a case study, first because it is a developing country which faces big challenges in terms of chemicals management and second because it has been committed to the SAICM process as early as the negotiating stages. The study interviewed stakeholders from government ministries and agencies, NGOs and the private sector, giving access to the views and experiences of people working most closely with chemicals management at the national level.
Progress has been mixed. Stakeholders in this study reported that implementation of SAICM has had a positive impact on chemicals management in Tanzania, and results have been achieved under all of the five objectives of SAICM. Concrete outcomes include reduced risks in the use of hazardous chemicals in the mining industry and filling gaps in the registration of imported chemicals.
However, a range of issues still need to be tackled, including the need for improved national coordination; misuse of chemicals in the agricultural, timber and small-scale mining sectors; substandard and illegal imports of chemicals; and lack of facilities to dispose of or destroy obsolete or used chemicals. Problems with chemical use in the informal sector remains a key concern.
The brief concludes with policy pointers for the Tanzanian Government, SAICM, the private sector, and academia and NGOs to help make further progress towards sound mangement of chemicals.
Download the policy brief (994 kb)
Read the full project report (1.1 MB)