As an initial priority, ICME members developed and endorsed an Environmental Charter that included Environmental Stewardship and Product Stewardship principles and was later expanded to include Community Responsibility principles. In 2000, ICME members approved a revised and expanded ICME Sustainable Development Charter , which offers members both a direction and a framework for the continuous review and improvement of their sustainable development performance. ICME believes that environmentally sound and socially responsive practices make for good business and allow companies to better contribute to the sustainable development objectives of society. ICME serves as a focal point for addressing such issues and policies at the international level. ICME also cooperates with a number of international industry and non-governmental organizations.
Metals are among the most abundant elements in nature.
They account for more than 70 elements of the Periodic Table. Indeed, the Earth's crust is primarily composed of these metals in compound form. As a result, natural processes, such as erosion and volcanic activity, are significant sources of exposure, while other geological processes have resulted in higher concentrations suitable for extraction. Some metals are essential nutrients for living organisms and some exhibit toxic effects under certain conditions. These factors need to be considered in the evaluation of risk.