Study on Strategies for Capacity Building of Integrated Chemicals Management (1)

Urgent Needs for strengthening National Capacity based on "National Profile"

Abstract

Japanese government has announced "National Profile" concerning present state of Japanese chemicals management in October 2003. There have been, however, no indications of any strategies for strengthening national capacity. We point out urgent needs for remaking "National Profile" adapted more to UNITAR/IOMC Guidance Documents and whereby strengthening national capacity, especially integrating various practices of hazard evaluation and related communication systems, such as categorization & labeling, SDS, and new chemicals notification systems. We present here the state of international commitments related to National Profile under Agenda 21, the concept of Integrated Chemicals Management and our idea on reformation of Japanese regulatory system.