SWEDISH CHEMICAL RISK MANAGEMENT

Distinct and clearly formulated legislation on chemicals is, together with efficient implementation and enforcement, a necessary prerequisite for effective chemicals risk management. Two recent publications from the Swedish Chemicals Agency, KemI, analyse and discuss in more depth the need for an appropriate national infrastructure for chemicals control, such as legislation and institutional capacity and capability (KemI PM 1/07 and KemI PM 4/08). KemI PM 4/08 includes an example of a full-text basic law on chemicals. 

Sweden exhibits a particularly good performance in terms of avoiding fatalities and injuries in this sector. These statistics could support the view that a culture of safety exists in Swedish companies, but chemical risk management in Sweden is arguably simpler for regulators and stakeholders due to fewer total chemicals produced and used within its territories (Section 4.1). This was exemplified during the interview with Swedish chemical industry representatives (paraphrased) ... 

In 1999, the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag) adopted a bill establishing 15 Environmental Quality Objectives [351]. The bill follows SEPA proposals and only one objective specifically relates to chemicals, that of a non-toxic environment. The primary objective of a non-toxic environment states that The environment must be free from man-made substances and metals that represent a threat to human health or biological diversity [544], With regards to chemical risk management the following should be achieved within one generation [544] ... 

KemI (2008) Legislation for risk management at marketing of chemicals. KemI PM 4/08, Swedish Chemicals Agency, Sundbyberg, Sweden, http //www.kemi.se... 

J. de Bruijn, Risk Management of Chemicals The Challenges of REACH, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, News Swedish Royal Institute of Technology, 2005. 

The recommendations for chemicals prioritised for risk-reduction measures correspond to the current proposal for the new EU-legislation, REACH, and also to the environmental quality objective a Non Toxic Environment adopted by the Swedish parliament. The tool is also appreciated by companies and organisations outside Sweden, as a source of knowledge or inspiration. This tool may be used and further developed by Asian ASEM countries to suit their chemicals management needs. 

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