EARTH SUMMIT+5 Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise the Implementation of Agenda 21 New York, 23-27 June 1997 PROGRAMME FACT SHEETS

	Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC)
	Responsible Organization(s)	UNEP, ILO, FAO, WHO, UNIDO, OECD.
	Description	The IOMC was established in 1995 to serve as a mechanism for coordinating efforts of intergovernmental organizations in the field of chemical safety. The six Participating Organizations are UNEP, ILO, FAO, WHO, UNIDO and OECD. WHO is the administering agency for the IOMC. Scientific and technical work of the IOMC is carried out through the existing structures of the Participating Organizations, either individually or jointly. An Inter-Organization Coordinating Committee (IOCC) composed of representatives of the Participating Organizations has been established. One of its functions is to consult on the planning, programming, implementation and monitoring of activities undertaken jointly or individually by the Participating Organizations.
	Issues addressed	The activities undertaken within the framework of IOMC correspond to the six priority programme areas of UNCED, Agenda 21, Chapter 19 ("Environmentally sound management of toxic chmicals, including prevention of illegal international traffic in toxic and dangerous products").
	Objectives	This Programme is designed to be a cooperative undertaking among six intergovernmental organizations that, within the framework of their own respective constitutional mandates, work together as partners to promote international work.
	Results achieved	Specific coordinating mechanisms have been or are in the process of being established in relation to some programme or sub-programme areas, such as harmonization of classification of chemicals, information exchange on toxic chemicals and chemical risks, and chemical risk evaluation. These mechanisms provide a regular means for all interested bodies working in the respective areas to consult with each other on programme plans and activities, and to discuss ways and means of ensuring that the activities are mutually supportive. IOCC created an inventory of the chemical safety activities of the Participating Organization which support the objectives and activities of Chapter 19, Agenda 21. The inventory includes the activities of UNITAR undertaken in collaboration with one or more of the IOMC Participating Organizations and is updated on a regular basis. Distribution of a report summarizing the information compiled in the inventory during the second session of the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (10-14 February 1997). The IOMC published a Calendar of Events to inform governments, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations on forthcoming events of the Participating Organizations in the area of chemical safety related to the programmes and work of Chapter 19, Agenda 21.
	Lessons learned	The time and effort needed to develop the knowledge base that can be productively used for coordination of international work is considerable, but the benefits, particularly in the current times of diminishing resources, cannot be underestimated.
	Financing	The necessary resources for the IOCC Secretariat are provided on an equitable basis by the Participating Organizations. All scientific and technical work is funded by the organizations concerned.
	Contact	Dr. M. Mercier, Head of Secretariat World Health Organization 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland Tel. (41-22) 791-3589; Fax. (41-22) 791-4848