1. Status of GHS Implementation In Malaysia Ministry of InterntionalBy
Sri Ram Letchimanan
Ministry of Interntional
Trade & Industry

2. OUTLINE Why is GHS important GHS Implementation in Malaysia (Roadmap)
UNITAR-GHS Project
Impact of GHS in Malaysia
Challenges of GHS Implementation

3. Why is GHS Important Before GHS After GHS
Laws and regulations similar and yet differences are significant enough to cause confusion
Different labels or SDS for the same product in different countries
Different definitions of hazards, e.g. a chemical may be considered flammable in one country, but not in another.
Laws to include GHS elements understood and practiced all over the world
One labelling and SDS criteria practiced internationally
One definition of hazards information, acceptable

4. Malaysia’s Chemicals Industry Sub-sectors
Source: MITI
Structure of Chemicals Industry
Chemicals & Chemical Products
Petroleum Products & Petrochemicals
Agricultural chemicals, pesticides & fertilizers
Soap, detergents, cosmetic & toiletry preparations
Inorganic
chemicals
Industrial gases
Paints, varnishes
Oleo-chemicals
Plastic Products
Organic Chemicals
Plastic
resins

5. GHS “Setup” in Malaysia
Industrial
Workplace
(DOSH)
Pesticides
(PB)
Transport
(MOT)
Consumer
Products
(MDTCC)
GHS National Coordinating Committee
(NCCGHS)
GHS Technical Working Group (TWGGHS)

6. GHS “Setup” in Malaysia (continued)
Project Coordination Committee (PCC)
Chaired by: MITI
Facilitate and coordinate all activities under the project
Preparation of PCC meetings
Present overall progress of the project in PCC
Prepare periodic status report
National Coordinator
Financial Official: MITI (Finance)
Approve and sign all financial statements and budget requests associated with the project

7. GHS Implementation In Malaysia
Malaysia is committed to GHS implementation;
Currently reviewing and ensuring the existing laws and legislations pertaining to the control chemical substances, in the related sectors are in line with the GHS implementation as introduced in the “Purple Book”;
Identified and addressing sectoral issues (situational and gap analysis) ;
Organized training and capacity building programs for parties involved in control of chemical substances in each sector; and
Increasing awareness on the benefits of regulatory harmonization

8. GHS Implementation Roadmap in Malaysia
The GHS Implementation Roadmap for Malaysia (MyGHS) was established in 2010
A total number of 8 strategies and 19 action plans have been identified in the MyGHS Roadmap.
Out of the 8 strategies, 1 of the strategies is cross sectoral strategy, whereas other strategies are focusing on industrial workplace (i.e. 3 strategies), agriculture (i.e. 1 strategy), transport (i.e. 2 strategies) and consumer (i.e. 1 strategy).
The implementation of MyGHS Roadmap involved participation of all stakeholders, including government, private sector, NGOs, professional bodies, research institutes and academia.

9. GHS Implementation Roadmap
ST1 (cross sectoral strategy): Enhance capacity of the National Coordinating Committee on the implementation of GHS (NCCGHS)
No.
Action Plans
Lead agency
Collaborating agencies
Status
AP1
To establish a Group of Resource Person on GHS (GRPGHS)
MITI
DOSH, IKM, LESTARI
Have been established in Sept 2011 (completed)
AP2
To establish a Technical Working Group on Establishing an Integrated Chemical Database (TWGCD)
DOE, DOSH, IKM, LESTARI
Have established an e-Technical Working Group in April 2012 however the latter is underway
AP3
To enhance cooperation between the NCCGHS and the National Committee on the Management of Environmentally Hazardous Substances (NCMEHS) towards a sound chemicals management in Malaysia
NRE
In progress

10. GHS Implementation Roadmap
ST2 (Industrial Workplace): Strengthen upstream chemical safety requirements at industrial workplace
No.
Action Plans
Lead agency
Collaborating agencies
Status
AP4
To establish common definitions related to GHS
DOSH
DOE
Have merged some of CPL into CLASS 201X
AP5
To incorporate GHS provisions into Occupational Safety and Health (Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Hazardous Chemicals) Regulations 1997 (CPL 1997)
Proposal of CLASS 201x in final stages with Attorney General’s office
AP6
To incorporate GHS provisions into the Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standards of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2000 (USECHH 2000)
In progress

11. GHS Implementation Roadmap
ST3 (Industrial Workplace): Facilitate data generation for chemicals
No.
Action Plans
Lead agency
Collaborating agencies
Status
AP7
To ensure data reliability (e.g. establish guidelines to obtain reliable data from various databases)
DOSH
DOE
Held workshop completed in May 2012
AP8
To maintain the list of SAMM accredited laboratories and GLP Compliant Testing Facilities in the field of chemical and toxicity testing.
Standards Malaysia
IKM, SIRIM Berhad
In progress

12. GHS Implementation Roadmap
ST4 (Industrial Workplace): Enhance awareness and capacities of industrial workers
No.
Action Plans
Lead agency
Collaborating agencies
Status
AP9
To amend GHS training modules by incorporating elements of the CLASS regulation (that will replace CPL 1997)
DOSH
CICM, NIOSH, LESTARI
In Progress
AP10
Training of trainers
NIOSH
DOSH, CICM
In progress
AP11
Sustainability of the training course

13. GHS Implementation Roadmap
ST5 (Agriculture): Enhance preparedness for GHS implementation in agriculture sector
No.
Action Plans
Lead agency
Collaborating agencies
Status
AP12
Identify possible amendments on the requirements for pesticide classification and labelling based on available WHO and FAO guidelines PB
MCPA
In planning with WHO. No indication on completion yet
AP13
GHS capacity building for upstream personnel
In the stage of identifying personnel and reporting by year end 2013

14. GHS Implementation Roadmap
ST6 (Transport): Adopting the latest version of the UNRTDG in transport sector
No.
Action Plans
Lead agency
Collaborating agencies
Status
AP14
Enhance capacities and capabilities of port authorities and port operators
MOT
MDM, Port authorities and port operators
Discussions have been planned and expected for reporting by year end 2013
AP15
Enhance transport safety of dangerous goods by road and rail
Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), RTD, DOR
Discussions are still underway and expected to be reported by year end 2013

15. GHS Implementation Roadmap
ST7 (Transport): Enhance GHS implementation at areas that relate to transport sector
No.
Action Plans
Lead agency
Collaborating agencies
Status
AP16
Reduce the risks of chemicals in transit that are stored at bonded warehouse
Customs
DOSH
Ongoing enforcement at warehouse
AP17
Enhance safety of customs officers, and other related officers at the custom ports. -
Custom officers on duty are well briefed
AP18
Enhance capability of emergency responders in addressing chemical accidents
BOMBA
Initiated for BOMBA to give seminars

16. GHS Implementation Roadmap
ST8 (Consumer): Enhance preparedness for GHS implementation in consumer sector
No.
Action Plans
Lead agency
Collaborating agencies
Status
AP19
To carry out Comprehensibility Testing (CT) and Situation and Gap Analysis (SGA) for consumer sector
MDTCC
LESTARI
Ongoing

17. Training and Capacity Building for the Implementation of GHS in Malaysia

18. GHS Training Sessions
The GHS advanced training sessions were held on September 2011 (Session 1) and September 2011 (Session 2).
A total number of 195 participants have completed the training sessions. It comprises about 90 agencies/companies.

19. GHS ImpleTraining Sessions
After the training sessions were held in 2011, 10 GHS trainers have been identified (i.e. GHS trainers), i.e. 6 representatives from DOSH, 2 representatives from NIOSH, 1 representative from SIRIM and 1 representative from LESTARI.
In 2012, 5 training sessions were held in different regions and each training session comprises GHS awareness seminar and GHS advanced training course.

20. GHS Training Sessions
A total number of 543 participants have completed the GHS basic training whereas 396 participants have completed the GHS advanced training. It comprises about 174 agencies/companies.

21. GHS Awareness Materials
GHS Awareness Seminar:
Session 1: Introduction to GHS (by NIOSH)
Session 2: GHS implementation in Malaysia (by MITI)
Session 3: Importance of GHS to the industry (by CICM)
Session 4: GHS toolkit (by SIRIM)
Session 5: CPL vs GHS-Malaysia supplier perspectives (by DOSH)
Session 6: Legislative GHS requirement in Malaysia-CLASS regulations (by DOSH)
GHS Advanced Training Course:
Session 1: Classification and communication of chemical hazards (UKM)
Session 2: Environmental hazard classification criteria for substances and mixtures (SIRIM)
Session 3: Practicing environmental hazards classification (SIRIM)
Session 4: Physical hazard classification criteria for substances and mixtures (NIOSH)
Session 5: Practicing physical hazards classification (NIOSH)
Session 6: Health hazard classification criteria for substances and mixtures (DOSH)
Session 7: Practicing health hazards classification (DOSH)

22. GHS Awareness Material

23. GHS Awareness Material

24. GHS Awareness Material

25. GHS Awareness Material

26. GHS Awareness Material

27. GHS Awareness Material

28. GHS Awareness Material

29. GHS Awareness Material

30. GHS Awareness Material

31. GHS Awareness Material

32. GHS Awareness Material

33. GHS Awareness Material

34. GHS Awareness Material
The booklets have been distributed to some of the schools students :

35. Impact of GHS In Malaysia
Industrial Workplace
GHS in Work place
A safer work environment through
consistent and comprehensible
system of chemical hazards
communications and practices for
safe handling and use;
Improved relations with employees;
One standard hence avoids duplication of testing and evaluating chemicals and chemical mixtures
A new regulation based on GHS principles Occupational Safety and Health (Chemicals Classification, Labeling and Safety Data Sheet) Regulations 201X (CLASS) is going to be implement by end of 2013.
Malaysian Standard on GHS-Specification for Classification, Labelling and Formulation of Safety Data Sheet for Chemical Products in 2008 (MS1804:2008)
DOSH has translated the GHS Purple Book into Bahasa Malaysia (3rd revised edition)

36. Impact of GHS In Malaysia (contd.)
Transport Sector
GHS in Transport
Safer transport of chemicals, with common signals and precautionary statement
Avoids duplication of testing and evaluating chemicals and chemical mixtures
Facilitates international trade at ports of entry
GHS pictograms are similar to UNRTDG pictograms
Civil Aviation Act 1969 [Act 3]
Civil Aviation Regulations 1996
Road Transport Act 1987 [Act 333]
Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952
Railway Act 1991 [Act 463]
Carriage of Goods By Sea Act 1950 [Act 527]
UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, (UNRTDG)

37. Impact of GHS In Malaysia (contd.)
Agricultural sector
GHS in Agriculture
By incorporation into international agreements, e.g.
FAO Pesticide Labelling Guideline (not yet in line with GHS)
Updated WHO classification that already in line with GHS
Pesticide labels remain the primary communication tool with the farmer on safe and effective handling
provide clear and transparent messages on health and safety
Information transfer via label and SDS
Align with other guidelines such as FAO International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides
Pesticides (Labelling) Regulations 1984
Label wording must be consistent, clear and applicable to local use

38. Impact of GHS In Malaysia (contd.)
Consumer sector
GHS for consumer
Consumer Protection Act 1999
Different and inadequate labelling of consumer products
Label provides important source of information for consumers on the chemical hazards involved.
GHS- harmonised hazard communication elements (pictograms, signal words and hazard statements)

39. Challenges of GHS Implementation
Legal Challenges
Recommendations
Review/Amendment of regulations and law takes time
More resources needed/ expertise (for legal review)
Dependent on international regulatory development and guidelines( e.g. FAO Guidelines on Labelling of Pesticides)
Adopt and adapt GHS to local needs ( do not reinvent the wheel)
To leverage on the existing infrastructures and systems, and the strengths
to synergize GHS with other initiatives relating to chemicals management (Environmental Hazardous Substance Scheme, Multilateral Environmental Agreements, MEAs)

40. Challenges of GHS Implementation
Technical Challenges
Recommendations
More experts needed to classify chemicals and competent and translator
More trainers to train the industry players and regulators
Too many precautionary statements
Capacity-building
Lack of technical experts within the region
Acceptable database on chemicals – like OECD to come up with a web Portal on chemicals
To step up training and capacity building under the UNITAR project funding
Engage the assistance of ASEAN partners
Information sharing– through a help desk from industry, print materials and electronic media.
Require supplier to provide reports on chemicals.
List of chemicals – for monitoring.
Continuing support from UNITAR.
Need for multinationals to be on-board –added value.
Cooperation with industry organization and association.

41. Challenges of GHS Implementation
Implementation Challenge
Recommendations
Engaging stakeholder – different stakeholders
Develop a national policy
Road Map – promoting GHS
Provide incentives or matching grants
MNCs to spearhead the implementation of GHS( mentor/mentee)
Process of classification – different sets of data
Additional resources needed (financial and manpower)
Different building blocks – by different countries
Need for guidelines to consider it as mixtures or as a separate classification
Commitment from all the stakeholder

42. Challenges of GHS Implementation
Dissemination Challenge
Recommendations
Need to reach out to Small & Medium Companies.
Website – regular updates on GHS
Knowledge and awareness, generally lacking & need further enhancement within government, - especially for policy makers.
MITI continue to engage with other government agencies, civil society and industry to promote GHS in Malaysia through the print and electronic media.
To coordinate training:
> GHS Awareness Seminars,
> GHS advanced trainings

43. CONCLUSION
GHS can lead to Harmonization; allow recognition of GHS prior to formal commencement; more reach-out programme to be organized;
Efforts have been made to introduce A Malaysian Standard by SIRIM and new regulation based on GHS is in the pipeline by DOSH;
GHS has been planned to be implemented for industrical chemicals and will be extended to other sectors;
Goods get faster clearance at ports especially for movements of shipment and transshipments goods;

44. MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
THANK YOU
MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
AND INDUSTRY
MALAYSIA

45. QUIZ

46. Answers