Practices in the sound management of chemicals

Abstract

The chemical industry is one of the largest sectors of the world economy; nearly every manufactured product contains one or more of the thousands of chemicals produced by it. The production of chemicals is increasing at a rate of 3-4 per cent per year, with more and more of this production happening in developing countries (see figures I.1 and I.2 below). The share of chemical production in industrialized countries is decreasing—from 84 per cent in 1970 to 75 per cent at present and is expected to decrease further to about 63 per cent by 2030.1 (See chapter on Trends).