The health impact of chemicals is determined by a process of assessment which aims to provide a consensus scientific description of the risks of chemical exposures. These descriptions are published in assessment reports and other related documents so that governments and international and national organizations can use them as the basis for taking preventive actions against adverse health and environmental impacts. For example the documents are often used as the basis for establishing guidelines and standards for the use of chemicals and for standards for drinking water and can assist with the implementation of international agreements such as the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (the GHS)

IPCS works cooperatively with other international organizations, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), under the auspices of the Inter-Organizational Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals avoiding duplication and thereby optimizing the use of assessment resources.