Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2023-01-09

Amendments to the National Policy on Management of Chemicals

- According to the Environment Programme of United Nations, around 350,000 chemicals exist in the market at present. Exposure to the chemicals causes deaths for about 2 million per year according to the World Health Organization. Further, it has been confirmed that people suffer from various diseases due to improper management of the chemicals. Taking into consideration the negative impact caused to the environment and to health due to the use of chemicals, “Environmentally Sound Management of Toxic Chemicals” has been identified in the Agenda 21 of the United Nations as one of the global priorities. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Environment to implement the National Policy on Management of Chemicals prepared after negotiating with the relevant main government institutions and Non Government Organizations giving due consideration to the management of chemicals in order to pursue action adhering to the International Conventions signed by Sri Lanka, was approved by the Cabinet.