A salient feature of SAICM, from its negotiation to its implementation, has been the prominent engagement of non-governmental actors. These issues remain beyond the regulatory scope of current multilateral environmental agreements. In this regard, it is important to note that SAICM was established partly in response to the significant regulatory gaps in the existing international legal framework for chemicals and waste.5 In the absence of a comprehensive global agreement regulating the full range of chemicals and waste in global production and trade, SAICM can be viewed as an essential and unique vehicle for fostering international cooperation on the sound management of chemicals.