What is chemicals policy?

Chemicals policy is a broad term, which encompasses a large number of elements, including:

Regulatory and voluntary measures, such as those that: obtain information on the properties and uses of chemicals substances; ensure information is transmitted to users of the chemicals; restrict certain chemicals or uses; or stimulate substitution of problem substances.
Policies within companies for determining what chemicals are used, and how they are used.
Fiscal policies, such as taxes on certain substances and financial responsibility measures.
Educational and labeling initiatives.
Research, development and technical support for safer chemicals and products.

Chemicals policy — sometimes called toxic substances policy — is often limited to 'Industrial Chemicals' used in production and products. Most regulatory systems separate "new chemicals" - those that have come on the market since the late 1970s or early 1980s and "existing chemicals" - those that were on the market before that time. Usually, regulatory review requirements are stricter for new chemicals, even though these represent less than 10% by volume of the chemicals on the market today. There are usually separate regulatory systems for specific groups of chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, cosmetics, food additives etc.

In addition, a number of other policy areas are closely linked to chemicals policy, often because they need information on the hazardous properties of chemicals, for example occupational health, facility level pollution and emergency planning policies.

Chemicals policies should be viewed in a holistic and integrated context — to protect worker, community, and consumer health while stimulating development of safer and cleaner production systems, materials, and products.