Reducing chemical risks in low-income countries: strategies for improved coverage of basic chemicals-management legislation

This policy brief offers strategies aimed at improving coverage of basic chemicals-management legislation. Potential avenues for gaining traction in achieving wider implementation include: regional collaboration, drawing on the potential of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) to reduce trade barriers, and capitalizing on benefits related to occupational health and safety commitments.

A decade after the agreed target year, most countries have yet to introduce a harmonized system to classify chemical hazards and to use the same format and content for information to ensure the safe use, transport, and disposal of chemicals around the globe.

The failure of countries to implement such rules aligned with the GHS is linked to both low regulatory capacity and low GDP per capita, the authors research shows. Low commitment to occupational health and safety, low commitment to international cooperation in general, and a low degree of trade dependence also link to non-implementation of the global classification system.