Meeting pledges initiative on safer chemicals

Dubai: A global initiative aimed at making chemicals safer for humans and the environment was agreed upon yesterday at a United Nations conference.

The Dubai Declaration on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) covers risk assessment of chemicals and harmonised labelling up to tackling obsolete and stockpiled products.

It also carries provisions for national centres aimed at helping countries, especially in the developing world, train staff in chemical safety including dealing with spills and accidents.

The Dubai Declaration was agreed to by over 100 environment and health ministers.

Some environment groups have, however, expressed their concern about the final outcome of SAICM.

"The final outcome of the Dubai negotiations are extremely disappointing, with the results akin to achieving a half loaf of bread, not well baked," said Clifton Cutis, Director of Global Toxics Programme of World Wide Fund for Nature. He said bold measures are needed in relations to chemicals management.