<p> </p><p>The aim and scope of this study is to describe the coordination of joint efforts concerning chemicals and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea region, between the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KemI) and the land-based pollution group of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM LAND). Based on the description of the coordination, the second aim is to discuss the consequences for the Swedish Chemicals Agency in its policy shaping work towards a nontoxic environment. A qualitative and descriptive case study method is used for this purpose. Theories of coordination and achievement-inducing criteria for environmental goals are applied to the case. Components and related processes of coordination are applied to the descriptive part of the study, whilst the achievement-inducing criteria are applied in the discussion. The description of the coordination unveils a strong coordination regarding goal selection, goal decomposition and mapping activities to actors. It also confirms an interdependency between the two organisations, based on the fact that they have different institutional leverage, and thus addresses different types of actors. The result of the study shows that the coordination consequences do not lead to an independent Swedish chemicals policy. Due to limited data, the certainty of the conclusions based on the theoretical and empirical evidence found in this study can be discussed, and must therefore be subject to more empirical research.</p><p> </p>

The aim and scope of this study is to describe the coordination of joint efforts concerning chemicals and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea region, between the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KemI) and the land-based pollution group of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM LAND). Based on the description of the coordination, the second aim is to discuss the consequences for the Swedish Chemicals Agency in its policy shaping work towards a nontoxic environment. A qualitative and descriptive case study method is used for this purpose. Theories of coordination and achievement-inducing criteria for environmental goals are applied to the case. Components and related processes of coordination are applied to the descriptive part of the study, whilst the achievement-inducing criteria are applied in the discussion. The description of the coordination unveils a strong coordination regarding goal selection, goal decomposition and mapping activities to actors. It also confirms an interdependency between the two organisations, based on the fact that they have different institutional leverage, and thus addresses different types of actors. The result of the study shows that the coordination consequences do not lead to an independent Swedish chemicals policy. Due to limited data, the certainty of the conclusions based on the theoretical and empirical evidence found in this study can be discussed, and must therefore be subject to more empirical research.