The accidental release of chemicals in the past and the potential for future chemical incidents are a cause of public concern that have warranted the development of response capability by environmental and health authorities. The objective has been to strengthen national capability to prevent and respond to chemical incidents by improving cooperation between the national institutions involved, including those responsible for health care and public health services.
This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends developing national and local capabilities to prepare for and respond to accidents by taking into account the UNEP APELL programme and similar programmes on accident prevention, preparedness and response, where appropriate, including regularly tested and updated emergency plans.