GHS implementation process issues

There are three aspects of GHS implementation

• Political and Institutional aspects. We have a mechanism called the Aarchus convention, SAICM, ICSD, national chemicals commision.

• It is necessary to establish focal points of GHS in another framework.

• Create an inter-department coordination committee, include NGO representatives.

• Define which department is responsible for GHS implementation.

Legal aspects

• We have a good environmental legislation system, but it needs to be coordinated with GHS standards.

• Necessary to adopt GHS as a national standard in our country

• The present standards are voluntary in the region, but development of national standards on GHS are very important for future work.

• Necessary to coordinate environmental legislation according to customs and tax codes.

Appropriate monitoring of implementation of GHS is needed. Would be good to develop

adequate indicators. Examples:2 levels of progress assessment1. Enterprises- Rate of chemicals already

classified according to GHS2. Country- Amount of enterprises using

GHS.

• Business sector must participate in GHS implementation more actively, we need to have methods of enforcement more than methods of punishment.

Education and awareness

• Training and education activities for officials, industry, consumers, farmers, and the population in general.

• Development of training models.

• Dissemination of information among wide circle of stakeholders: websites, leaflets, brochures, wide use of best practices.

• Involve mass media.

Financial Aspects

• Financial support from international organizations: UN, WTO, ILO.

Theme 3: Implementation Process Issues

Members:

Hero Kol –Cambodia Bing Wang - China

Auliyah Ariani – Indonesia Preecha-Korn Suvanaphen –Thailand

Annuar Bin Moh Bin Mokhtar – Malaysia Cissie Young - Singapore

Ana Trinidad Rivera – Philippines Sam Rae Cho - Korea

Li Yee Chow – Singapore Tianjie Ma - China

Jariya Mitroupathump – Thailand Yong-Kyoon Doo – Rep. of Korea

Hoai Long – Vietnam

Theme 3: Implementation Process

• Have a Champion in Each Country • Governance: Creation of Task Force or

Committee by Ministry of Industry, Port Singapore Authority, Environment, Health, etc. including industry, academe and civil society– Transparent - Collegial– Team work– spirit - Public-private sector

partnership• Engaging stakeholder – different stakeholders• Develop a national policy• Road Map – promoting GHS

– Gap analysis - Development of Guidebook– Capacity Building - Awareness

Theme 3: Implementation Process

• Compliance assistance -Set standards • Develop national/international collaborations –

experts group– Establish cooperation link with UNITAR– Acknowledge support of UNITAR

• Way forward ------ Set of indicators• Resources and time needed for implementation• Challenge: voluntary• Goals: Key Performance Indicators

Theme 3: Implementation Process

• Survey/interview: Comprehensibility testing: to gauge the worker’s perception – workers, supervisors and managers level

• Capacity-building and training

• Inspection – workplace, market control

• Design questionnaire to get a good picture of the implementation process– Need to know– How to improve

Theme 3: Implementation Process

• Roadshow- different seminar for workers• Provide guidance and training• Translation of the purple book

– Proofread– Peer-reviewed

• Information – through a help desk from industry

• Require supplier to provide reports• List of chemicals – for monitoring

Challenge

• Consumer products• How to implement GHS in countries not yet

implementing eg technical expertise– Cambodia– Vietnam

• Linking mainstreaming ------chemical safety management in general

• Regular meetings on GHS• Raising awareness among policy-makers• Sharing updates among different countries• Mutual acceptance for importation of products

Way Forward

• Mainstream chemicals• Champion• Government should have ownership and accountability• Good coordination needed within country – focal point

– Get agreement

• Continuing support from UNITAR • Need for multinationals to be on-board –added value• Cooperation with industry organization/association • Strategy on how to make GHS a reality