The OECD brings together the governments of countries committed to democracy and the market economy around the world to support sustainable economic growth, boost employment, raise living standards, maintain financial stability, assist other countries’ economic development and contribute to growth in world trade. Israel has started the process to try to join the OECD in July 2007, a process which is being led by the Ministry of Finance. One of the most important spheres where compliance is needed and where Israel is lagging is that of the environmental requirements, where Israel needs to comply with supervision of chemicals, supervision of emission of pollutants and of damages caused to the environment by industrial plants.