As HSHW are an integrated part of many human activities, a massive amount of knowledge has been developed, covering a wide breadth of subjects. This section gives a non-exhaustive overview of some of the major active Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) and links to their web resources. National and regional governments also maintain extensive information resources on HSHW.
The activities of UNEP in HSHW are detailed separately <insert link to UNEP’s work section>.
Other IGOs’ HSHW-related activities include:
The
World Health Organization (WHO) hosts a number of bodies specializing in HSHW activities, including the
International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), the
Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC), the
Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) and the
Health and Environment Linkages Initiative (HELI). The WHO site also includes, within its major focus on health issues, many examples of chemicals as they relate to human health.
“WHO joins UNEP in providing the secretariat for the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)”.
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD): is a source of information, generated through its work in coordinating a number of intergovernmental bodies on specialized topics related directly or indirectly to HSHW. Examples can be found in the Environment Directorate, Chemical Safety, among others.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) undertakes activities on chemicals through its Energy and Environment Programme .
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has activities in the field of pesticides, a major chemicals sector including many hazardous substances.
UNITAR's Chemicals and Waste Management Programmes provide support to governments and stakeholders for managing dangerous chemicals and wastes.
The International Labour Office (ILO) contains references to the safe use of chemicals in the workplace and prevention of major chemicals accidents.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) helps countries to improve their chemicals management and attain the MDGs by providing MDG Support Services through its chemicals management programme