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.