The APELL programme was launched in 1988 against a background of the series of major technological accidents which took place around the world during the 1980s. From the outset the voluntary approach had been preferred to the preparation of a binding international agreement. Ten years on, APELL is still a useful tool for the three main institutional partners, in addition to local communities:

• it builds capacity at local authority level at a time when government round the world is becoming more decentralised;
  
  
• it helps provide industry with its "social licence to operate";
  
  
• it provides a tool to help implement international conventions and agreements.

Six APELL Senior Level Expert Advisory Group meetings were held, one every two year between 1990 and 1998. They all aimed at reviewing the progress made by the programme, acknowledging the activities implemented at country-level, and presenting the future developments of APELL.

In 1994, emphasis was made on APELL as an international programme for accident prevention co-ordinated with other international organizations, communication with the public, and progress to be made in transport and port areas.

In 1996, the meeting insisted on the development of tools and guidance to support the APELL programme, as well as the collaboration with other organizations. The need to develop a communication was emphasized and a web site in Spanish was envisaged.

The last meeting focussed on the review of the last decade, and prospects for the second decade of APELL. Some new fields of action were introduced: the insurance industry, accident investigations, the mining industry, AEGLs, etc.

The 7th meeting took place in Geneva, Switzerland and more information can be found in this site by clicking here.

Worldwide, APELL has achieved the following:

• APELL has been introduced in more than 30 countries since 1988.
  
  
• APELL has been introduced in approximately 75 communities. 13 communities have reached the stage of a full-scale practical drill.