Overview of UNITAR/ILO GHS Capacity Building Programme

in ASEAN

UNITAR/ILO Global GHS Capacity

Building Programme

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OUTLINE

• Introduction

• UNITAR/ILO GHS Capacity Building Programme in ASEAN

• Proposed Methodology for Developing National GHS Implementation Strategies

• WSSD Global GHS Partnership

• Resources

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Introduction

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What is the GHS?

Safe Use of Chemicals

Risk Management

Systems (risk communication,

exposure monitoring/control)

Hazard Communication (GHS Labels and SDS)

GHS Classification

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Why is the GHS Important?

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Why is the GHS Important?

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GHS Implementation and Capacity Building

• WSSD - 2008 Target

• UN Subcommittee of Experts on the GHS (SCEGHS)

• UNITAR/ILO nominated as focal point

• Some 65 countries interested in GHS capacity building

• Included in APEC Chemical Dialogue

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UNITAR/ILO GHS Capacity Building Programme in ASEAN

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ASEAN GHS Project: 2005-2007

• strengthen capacities in ASEAN to implement the GHS by the year 2008

• 3 pilot countries - Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand

• Participation of government, industry and civil society key to success of project

• regional activities involving all ASEAN countries

• supported by Government of Switzerland and European Commission

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Project Goal in ASEAN Pilot Countries

• To facilitate development of a National GHS Implementation Strategy in all GHS sectors through collaboration of government, industry and civil society

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National Project Objectives

• to raise awareness of, and train decision-makers and relevant experts about GHS

• to initiate action for GHS implementation in all four sectors affected by GHS (industrial production, agriculture, transport, consumer products)

• to facilitate drafting and endorsement of national GHS-implementing legislation for all four sectors

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• to facilitate capacity development for GHS implementation in the private sector

• to facilitate non-profil civil society and labour participation in GHS strategy development and implementation

• to develop and ensure high-level endorsement of a National GHS Implementation Strategy

National Project Objectives cont.

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Regional Activities in ASEAN

• GHS Workshop in ASEAN

• Consideration of ASEAN Regional GHS Capacity Assessment

• Possible Development of an ASEAN GHS Implementation Strategy

• Regional activities by industry and civil society

• Regional ASEAN GHS Review Workshop – 2007

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UNITAR/ILO Global GHS Capacity Building Programme

• Initiated in 2001 – provides updates to UN SCEGHS and other relevant bodies

• Previous regional activities (workshops in SADC and for South America) and country-based pilot projects (Zambia, South Africa, Senegal and Sri Lanka)

• Pilot tested guidance materials and national action plan methodologies

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UNITAR/ILO Global GHS Capacity Building Programme

• Global trust fund - multiple donors (including the Governments of Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, US and the European Union)

• Guidance and oversight provided by Programme Advisory Group (PAG) of interested organizations and individuals

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Current Activities• support for 7 country-based pilot projects in

Indonesia, Nigeria, Philippines, Senegal, Slovenia, Thailand, The Gambia

• Regional activities in ASEAN, and likely West Africa and Central Eastern Europe

• Revision and further development of guidance materials

• Global Thematic Workshop on Strengthening Capacities for GHS Implementation (Nov 2005)

• Other requests for support under consideration, subject to availability of resources

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Developing National GHS Implementation Strategies

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National Implementation Strategy Development – Key Actors

• Government

– Legal and institutional infrastructure

• Industry

– Apply classification and labelling requirements

– Responsible for training, SDS provision

• Non-profit Civil Society

– Labour, consumers, NGOs

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National Implementation Strategy Development – Key Sectors

• Industrial Workplace

• Agriculture

• Transport

• Consumer products

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• National organisation and coordination

• Situation Analysis

• Gap Analysis

• Comprehensibility Testing

Key First Steps

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Sectoral implementation plans and development of a National Strategy…

Industrial Workplace

Agriculture

Transport

Consumer Products

National Implementation

Strategy

GHS Implementation

Regulatory review and adjustments…..

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Other Important Activities

• National Workshop(s)

• Activities in Industry

• Activities in Civil Society

• Awareness raising

• High level endorsement

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WSSD Global GHS Partnership

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Goal of GHS Partnership:

• To mobilize support and catalyze partnerships for concrete activities at the global, regional and national levels to strengthen capacities in developing countries and countries in transition towards effective implementation of the GHS for industrial chemicals, agricultural chemicals, chemicals in transport and consumer chemicals

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• make concrete and value added contributions to the outcomes of the WSSD -- more than 200 in existence

• initiated by UNITAR, ILO, OECD

• formal launch in Johannesburg, 30 August 2002 - initial financial support from Government of Switzerland and ICCA

• First Meeting of Partners, 10 July 2003 (report available)

WSSD Global GHS Partnership

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WSSD Global GHS Partnership

• Forum IV Side-Event 2003, support of several organizations

• Forum IV GHS “Action Plan” based on workplan of Partnership

• Interactive Partnership website

• Second Meeting of Partners (planned for 2006)

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Resources

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Resources for GHS Capacity Building• UNITAR/ILO Guidance Document “Developing a

National GHS Implementation Strategy” (Aug. 2005)

• Other resources

– Guidance Manual for Comprehensibility Testing

– GHS Capacity Building Library (online and CD ROM)

– Regional Workshop Reports

– WSSD GHS Partnership Annual Reports

– Other Guidance currently under development

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Web resources

• UNITAR/ILO GHS Capacity Building Programme:

www.unitar.org/cwm/b/hc/index.htm

• WSSD GHS Partnership:

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

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Contacts

Training and Capacity Building Programmes in Chemicals and Waste ManagementUNITARPalais des NationsCH-1211 Geneva 10Switzerland

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

Website: www.unitar.org/cwm