While an important focus of the work is on safety aspects of the production, processing and use of industrial chemicals (test guidelines, good laboratory practice, manufactured nanomaterials), work is carried out on pesticides and biocides, chemical accidents, pollutant release and transfer registers, development co-operation and sound management of chemicals and biotechnology, overseen by the Chemicals and Biotechnology Committee (CBC) and undertaken by many subsidiary bodies.

 Objectives:

• assist OECD Member countries' efforts to protect human health and the environment through improving chemical safety and biosafety

• make chemical control policies more transparent and efficient and save resources for government and industry; and

• prevent unnecessary distortions in the trade of chemicals, chemical products and products of modern biotechnology.

The Chemicals Programme produces documents, reports and publications on all aspects of its work. The Chemical Safety and Biosafety Progress Report provides an update on the projects, events and activities.

The OECD co-operates closely with various international organisations, through the Inter-organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) towards the implementation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) which bring together governments from more than 150 countries and various stakeholders.

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