GHS Implementation: Contributing to

National Chemical Safety and

Sustainable Development

A Forum V Side Event

Wednesday, 27 September 2006

13:15-14:45

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What is the GHS?

• Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

• International standard adopted 2002 and endorsed by ECOSOC 2003

• GHS (Purple Book) includes harmonized approaches for:

– Chemical Classification

– Chemical hazard communication tools (SDSs and Labels)

• Objectives of the GHS:

– Protection of human health and the environment

– Facilitating free trade of chemicals

• WSSD GHS Implementation Target: 2008

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The GHS: a Foundation for

Chemical Safety

Safe Use of Chemicals

Risk Management

(risk communication, exposure monitoring,

risk reduction)

Hazard Communication (GHS Labels and SDS)

Chemical Hazard Classification

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International GHS Activities & Initiatives

• UN SCEGHS (Secretariat: UNECE)

• OECD Task Force on Harmonization of Classification and Labeling

• WHO/IPCS (ICSC, Pesticide Classification, CICADs, Heath Sector Issues, etc.)

• FAO activities

• UNITAR/ILO GHS Capacity Building Programme

• UNITAR/ILO/OECD WSSD GHS Partnership

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UNITAR/ILO Activities - 2006

• National GHS Implementation Projects

Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Nigeria, Senegal, Slovenia, Thailand, The Gambia and The Philippines

• Regional GHS Implementation Projects: ASEAN, SADC

• Regional Workshops

– completed: SADC, South America, ASEAN

– upcoming: CEE, Arab countries

• Global Thematic Workshop to Strengthen GHS Capacities, Nov. 2005

• Financial support (2005-2006)

– Government of Switzerland and European Union (core projects)

– US State Department, Foreign Affairs Canada (specific activities)

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• Guidance Document on “Developing a National GHS Implementation Strategy”

• Comprehensibility Testing Website

• GHS Capacity Building Library

• Roster of GHS Experts (Forum IV request)

• Regional Workshop Reports

• WSSD GHS Partnership Annual Reports

• other guidance currently under development

• GHS Events Page

Resources

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Countries which Already Implemented the GHS:New Zealand & Mauritius

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National GHS Implementation Strategy inDeveloped Countries

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National GHS Implementation Strategy Initiated with Support of UNITAR/ILO (green)

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Countries Requesting Support for GHS Capacity Building

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Questions

• What is the status of GHS implementation in countries with major chemical industries?

• How is your country/organization preparing for GHS implementation and how will it be implemented?

• How can GHS implementation contribute to national and regional chemical safety and sustainable development?

• What are the challenges and capacity building needs for effective GHS implementation?

– Government

– Business and Industry

– Public Interest and Labour Organizations

• How can resources for capacity building be mobilized to address immediate needs and country requests?

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Contacts

Programmes in Chemicals,Waste and Environmental Governance UNITARPalais des NationsCH-1211 Geneva 10Switzerland

Fax: + 41 22 917 8047Email: gpghs@unitar.org

Websites: www.unitar.org/cwg

www.unitar.org/cwg/ghs_partnership/index.htm