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Chemical safety and biosafety


The OECD assists countries in developing and implementing policies and instruments that make their systems for managing chemicals as efficient and robust as possible, while protecting human health and the environment. 

 

OECD Global Forum on the Environment dedicated to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

12-13 February | The Forum will focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), a broad set of chemicals renowned for their unique properties and used in many consumer and industrial applications. Due to their tendency to persist in the environment and accumulate in the human body and food chains, PFASs have become a matter of global concern. Join to discuss risk management, alternatives and more.

What are countries around the world doing to tackle the risks of industrial and consumer chemicals?

The Chemical Legislation indicator allows you to explore the legal frameworks set up by each country to protect human health and the environment.

OECD work on Chemical Safety and Biosafety 2021-24

This brochure provides an overview of ongoing and planned work at the OECD on chemical safety and biosafety.

IOMC Toolbox

The IOMC Toolbox has been redesigned to provide easier and more direct access to eight management schemes, five toolkits, and more than 500 IOMC tools, guidance documents, and training materials. This new and improved platform enables users to access information with less steps and less clicks.

Keeping a close watch on chemicals

By collaborating on chemicals testing through a common OECD system and standards, countries are able to better protect citizens, animals and the environment, while saving costs.

New Decision-Recommendation and Guiding Principles for Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response

A new OECD Decision-Recommendation concerning Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response was adopted on 8 June 2023. The Decision-Recommendation comes with its supporting technical guidance, the newly released OECD Guiding Principles on Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response – Third edition.

Wider international context

The OECD co-operates closely with various international organisations, through the Inter-organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) towards the implementation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) which bring together governments from more than 150 countries and various stakeholders.

OECD Legal instruments

A number of OECD Council acts in force are dedicated to chemical safety and cover areas as diverse as chemical accidents, exchange of confidential data on chemicals or the Polluter-Pays Principle.

Webinars

The OECD organises free webinars bringing world experts together to share best practices for regulatory authorities and the scientific community. Register for an upcoming webinar or watch the video recordings of the past webinars on: 

What are countries around the world doing to tackle the risks of industrial and consumer chemicals?

The Chemical Legislation indicator allows you to explore the legal frameworks set up by each country to support the safety of human health and the environment. 

This map measures the progress in countries with setting up management systems specifically dedicated to managing the risks of industrial and consumer chemicals, i.e. chemicals which are not covered by specific legislations such a pesticides or pharmaceuticals. It is specifically identifying legislation allowing countries to prioritise chemicals for risk management, perform a risk assessment on priority chemicals and implement, if needed, risk reduction measures based on the outcome of the risk assessment.

Videos

Tracking industrial pollution

Saving costs in chemicals

Combating industrial pollution


Find data in eChemPortal


Key publications

More publications

About us

Learn more about our work on Chemical Safety and Biosafety, and read our progress report. 

» Who we are and what we do
» Read our progress report

Stay informed

To receive our latest news, publications and events on Chemical Safety and Biotechnology, sign up to the following newsletters: 

» Chemical Safety
» Biotechnology Update

Follow us

Watch our videos on the OECD Chemical Safety and Biosafety YouTube channel

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Contact us

Learn more about the work of the OECD Environment Directorate, and contact us with your questions.

» About the Environment Directorate
» Contact us