Global Product Strategy

The Global Product Strategy (GPS) was launched 2006 by the chemical industry in conjunction with the Responsible Care Global Charter at the first International Conference on Chemical Management. The Responsible Care Global Charter expands the industry’s long-standing Responsible Care ethic by establishing a broader and more vigorous agenda for the international chemical industry including sustainable development, effective management of chemicals along the value chain, greater industry transparency and increased global harmonization and consistency among Responsible Care programs in countries around the world. GPS addresses the product stewardship components of Responsible Care. Both initiatives are dedicated to the responsible handling of chemicals throughout the value chain and aim to contribute to the goal of UNEP’s Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). SAICM is a policy framework to foster the sound management of chemicals so that by 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on human health and the environment. With GPS, chemical industry commits to improve risk characterization and risk management procedures within its global membership in balance with existing national and regional regulatory requirements. The objective of these efforts is to improve industry performance and reputation, and position the chemical industry as a constructive contributor to the implementation of SAICM.

Global Product Strategy: ICCA Guidance on Chemical Risk Assessment