GHS Implementation and Public Interest NGOs

Pesticide Action Network Philippines

It is estimated that It is estimated that there are 25 million there are 25 million cases of pesticide cases of pesticide poisoning each poisoning each year year

80% of all 80% of all poisonings occur in poisonings occur in developing developing countries where countries where regulatory, health, regulatory, health, and education and education systems are systems are weakestweakest

Poor farmers in Asia Poor farmers in Asia are literally bathing in are literally bathing in potent cocktails of potent cocktails of old and dangerous old and dangerous chemicals that are chemicals that are near impossible to near impossible to use safely under real use safely under real field conditions; while field conditions; while immediately suffering immediately suffering the signs and the signs and symptoms of symptoms of poisoning. poisoning. 

These pesticides These pesticides endanger humans, endanger humans, animals and the animals and the environment, specially environment, specially when used improperly when used improperly or without sufficient or without sufficient knowledge of their knowledge of their effects. effects.

The conditions of use The conditions of use in most developing in most developing countries make it countries make it difficult to guarantee difficult to guarantee appropriate use. appropriate use.

Availability of highly Availability of highly toxic chemicalstoxic chemicals

Lack of information Lack of information and knowledge of and knowledge of their hazardstheir hazards

Aggressive Aggressive marketing by marketing by industryindustry

Poverty and Poverty and illiteracyilliteracy

Lack of health Lack of health facilities in the rural facilities in the rural areas areas

Importance of GHS ImplementationPreventive measure for the

protection of health and the environment

Supports workers’ right to information

Implements the principle of product stewardship and corporate responsibility

Role of Public Interest NGOs

Uphold precautionary frameworkEnsure that chemical hazard

communication has the correct content– Accurate– Understandable– No concealed information– Appropriate to conditions of use in

developing countries

Activities to Contribute to GHS ImplementationParticipation in decision-making

with national bodies for the implementation of GHS

Education/training and awareness-raising activities

Monitoring chemical safety data and labels

Activities to Contribute to GHS ImplementationLobbying in the legislative arena

– Development of policies– Strengthen implementation of

international conventions on chemicals

Development of regional networks for information exchange and capacity building

Activities to Contribute to GHS ImplementationMonitoring of compliance to rules

and regulations by the industry– Allow NGOs to liason with workers

organizations for monitoring of conditions within the workplace

– Monitoring of hazard communication practices

PAN Phils. Activities

Community-Based Pesticide Action Monitoring (CPAM)– Awareness-raising on health and

environmental effects of pesticides– Training on recognition of acute

poisoning– Documentation of poisoning

incidents, pesticide use, and health profiles of farmers

PAN Phils. Activities

Information Exchange Network on Capacity Building for the Sound Management of Chemicals– Web-based information exchange

mechanism designed to enhance effective cooperation among countries and organizations which are providing and/or receiving assistance related to sound management of chemicals

– PAN Phils serves as the focal point for Public Interest NGOs

PAN Phils. Activities

INFOCAP (cont’d)– Facilitates the exchange and public

accessibility of information related to chemicals management capacity building

– Includes information on interests, activities, materials and needs related to chemicals management capacity building

PAN Phils. Activities

International POPs Elimination Project (IPEP)– Southeast Asia Co-Hub– IPEP supports hundreds of NGO

Project Activities, in approximately 40 developing countries and countries in transition, all aimed at contributing to country preparations for Stockholm Convention implementation

Thank you!