International Programme on Chemical Safety

International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) is a global initiative aimed at promoting chemical safety and providing scientific and technical support to national and international efforts to protect human health from the harmful effects of chemicals. The IPCS is a joint venture of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), established in 1980 to implement international activities on chemical safety.

Background

Chemicals play a vital role in modern society, contributing to the improvement of living standards, public health, and economic development. However, the production, use, and disposal of chemicals can pose significant risks to human health and the environment. Recognizing the need for international collaboration to address these challenges, the WHO, ILO, and UNEP founded the IPCS to facilitate the assessment and management of chemical risks.

Objectives

The main objectives of the IPCS are to:

• Establish scientific bases for the safe use of chemicals, and to strengthen national capabilities and capacities for chemical safety.
• Carry out and disseminate evaluations of the effects of chemicals on human health and the environment.
• Harmonize methodologies for chemical hazard and risk assessment.
• Provide reliable information on chemical safety for governments, industries, workers, and the general public.

Activities

The IPCS conducts a wide range of activities to achieve its objectives, including:

• Developing international chemical safety cards, guidelines, and standards.
• Conducting risk assessments of chemicals and publishing the results in the Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) monographs.
• Operating the WHO Chemicals Information Exchange Network and the International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs).
• Providing technical support to countries for the development of national chemical safety policies and regulations.
• Organizing training programs and workshops on chemical safety assessment and management.

Key Publications

The IPCS publishes a variety of materials to disseminate information on chemical safety, including:

• Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) Monographs: Detailed reviews of the effects of chemicals on human health and the environment.
• International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs): Concise documents providing essential health and safety information on chemicals.
• Guidelines and Principles for the Assessment of Chemical Risks: Documents outlining methodologies for evaluating the health and environmental risks of chemicals.

Collaboration

The success of the IPCS depends on collaboration with national governments, international organizations, the scientific community, industry, and non-governmental organizations. By working together, these stakeholders can enhance chemical safety and protect public health and the environment from the adverse effects of chemicals.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite significant progress, the IPCS faces ongoing challenges, including the increasing number and complexity of chemicals, limited resources for chemical safety programs in developing countries, and the need for greater public awareness of chemical risks. Moving forward, the IPCS aims to strengthen its activities, enhance international cooperation, and leverage scientific and technological advances to improve chemical safety worldwide.