In today’s world, chemicals are commonly used across all sectors of society — in manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and daily consumer products — with both positive and negative impacts on health, well-being, socioeconomic conditions, and the environment. At the international level, chemicals management and regulation remains insufficient relative to the scale of impact. Serious incidents continue to occur, and the adverse effects on both human health and the surrounding environment remain a significant global concern.
Proper chemicals management is critical for worker safety, environmental protection, and legal compliance. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that hundreds of thousands of deaths annually are attributable to chemical exposures in occupational and environmental settings. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has long advocated for the sound management of chemicals as part of its broader pollution agenda.
According to the goals approved at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, by 2020, chemicals should be produced and used in ways that minimise significant adverse effects on human health and the environment. This commitment was later reinforced by the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM).
Key Responsibilities for Chemical Safety Management
The person responsible for chemicals management at a facility must ensure the following:
- Prepare, update, maintain and implement chemical safety plans
- Maintain a record and manifest (if applicable) of hazardous chemicals and notify the regulator of significant quantities if necessary
- Identify the risk of physical or chemical reaction of hazardous chemicals and ensure the stability of dangerous chemical substances
- Ensure that exposure standards are not exceeded
- Provide health monitoring to workers exposed to hazardous chemicals
- Provision of information, training, instruction and supervision for workers
- Spill containment system provision for hazardous chemicals if required
- Obtain the latest Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) from chemical suppliers — required under the UN Globally Harmonised System (GHS)
- Provide safety information in the local language
- Control ignition sources and store flammable substances separately
- Supply and maintain fire protection, emergency equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Prepare an emergency plan where hazardous chemical quantities exceed regulatory thresholds
- Ensure structural stability of pipes and containers for bulk hazardous chemicals
- Manage commissioning and decommissioning of storage areas
- For chemical waste, engage a certified contractor for proper handling, reuse, or incineration
Relevant Standards and Frameworks
Organisations seeking to formalise their chemical safety approach should consider alignment with ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety), which provides a structured framework for managing workplace hazards including chemicals. The International Labour Organization (ILO) also provides extensive guidance on chemical hazard communication and worker protection.
For organisations operating in the textile and apparel sector, chemical safety is further governed by standards such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL), which restrict the use of harmful chemicals throughout the supply chain.
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