ABSTRACT
Governing chemicals is a complex exercise involving multiple economic sectors, available products on the market, and related policy domains. Available data are limited, but highlight that some chemicals have severe effects on human health and the environment. Uncertainty, economic importance and, occasionally, public salience characterizes chemicals policy. The literature takes its principle themes from these characteristics, and focuses on how governments use the precautionary principle and incorporate science when uncertainty is prevalent, and how some governments enact policy change while others do not.
