Applying Precaution in the context of chemical safety
Information/Discussion Session on Tools and Approaches -
Background Information
(Forum V, IFCS/FORUM V/6 INF)
Prepared by Joel Tickner, Consultant, and IFCS Secretariat in consultation with the Forum Standing Committee
An IFCS Forum V Plenary Open Information/Discussion Session has been organized to advance open
dialogue and understanding about how precaution is applied in practice with regards to chemical safety to
protect health and environment and implementation of goals identified in IFCS declarations and
recommendations and the SAICM Overarching Policy Strategy (OPS). A Forum V Thought Starter paper
presents the rationale, objectives and organization of the session.
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Thought Starter
See Forum V Plenary Open Information/Discussion Session On Tools And Approaches For Applying Precaution In The Context Of Chemicals Safety, Prepared By: Forum Standing Committee (IFCS/FORUM-V/01-TS)
Through a series of practical case examples, the session will explore tools and approaches for applying
precaution in chemical safety decision-making as well as commonalities and differences in these
approaches. Following these presentations, guided discussion with delegates will occur, with the goal of
identifying some key commonalities and differences in approaches and providing practical next steps for
the future.
To ensure adequate thinking occurs in individual countries before the start of Forum V and thoughtful
discussion at the Forum, this Information Background Document is provided to delegates in advance of
Forum V. This Backgrounder Document summarizes information collected on how countries
domestically apply precaution in chemicals management including:
• A collection of structured information requests to governments to provide examples of tools and
frameworks for how they have applied precaution in the context of domestic chemicals safety
efforts.
• Interviews with selected active members in IFCS about to understand differences in how
precaution is applied and some of the controversies in its application; how they are applying
precaution in chemicals management including tools and approaches and the types of tools and
processes that would support precautionary decision-making in the context of chemicals
management.
The purpose of this structured information collection process was to collect examples of tools, approaches
and frameworks for applying precaution (or making decisions in the face of uncertainty) with regards to
national chemical safety efforts. The goal is to understand similarities and differences in how
precautionary decisions (or decisions in circumstances of uncertainty) are made across countries; what
tools and approaches countries use to apply precaution in chemicals management; how policy, regulatory
and scientific processes support precautionary decision-making in the context of chemicals management;
the challenges and needs for applying precaution in the context of chemicals management; and varying
perceptions with its application..
This Information Backgrounder is presented in three sections. The first section summarizes key findings
from the information collected through this scoping study. The second section provides a detailed
summary of responses to the information requests and interviews. The third section contains a
spreadsheet summarizing inputs from the information requests.