In
February 2017, the National Chemical Policy entered into force through
declaration 40.148-S-MINAE-MAG-MTSS-RE-H in Costa Rica. The
Policy establishes the Technical Secretariat of
Coordination for the Management of Chemical Substances as a responsible
agency to coordinate the necessary actions in facilitating the policy
implementation. Its general objectives are:
(i)
Reduce risks in the rational management of chemical substances, including
articles and merchandise, throughout their life cycle;
(ii)
Promote knowledge, information, and public awareness as an empowering element
in decision-making;
(iii)
Discuss governance as a critical aspect addressed through a multisectoral
approach to achieve the sound management of chemicals;
(iv)
strengthen institutional capacity building and technical assistance;
(v)
Prevent and control international illicit traffic of chemical substances.