GHS: South African chemical industry perspective

Outline l South African chemical industry l Project structure l Industry approach l Situational analysis l Gap analysis l Implementation challenges l Useful assistance

Chemical industry l Highest manufacturing contributer to GDP l Dominant force in chemical trade in region l Responsible Care since 1994 l SHE issues integral part of sector strategy

Industry approach l Strong support for GHS project l Promotion of regional approach l Synergy amongst hazard communication elements l Build international information networks l Value chain partnerships l Link with Responsible Care

Objectives of approach l Protection of human health along value chain l Integrated approach at interministerial level to ensure: l Whole value chain covered l Consistent hazard classification across value chain l Consistent hazard message across value chain

Study findings l GHS issues covered by 6 national laws and plethora of municipal by-laws l Lack of consistency amongst laws l No formal co-ordination required l Chemical lifecycle not fully covered

Industrial production l Capacity for physical testing only l Foreign MSDS not always compatible with SA requirements l Lack of uniformity in MSDS contents from different suppliers l Training and awareness not sufficient

Agricultural chemicals l Inserts and labels main source of information l Low literacy level in sector l Decanted chemicals not always labelled

Transport and Emergency response l Approach to different modes of transport not harmonised l Lack of cross border harmonisation l Imports not always accompanied by MSDS

Consumers l Challenge to industry l Very little legislation l Lack of consumer awareness l Label only source of information l Labels in foreign language l Informal sector l Chemicals decanted for sale

Gap analysis l Classification approach not entirely aligned l Physical test methods not fully aligned l Signal words and hazards statements not all aligned l SDS headings not in the same order

Implementation challenges l MSDS requirements based on IS GHS different order of headings l Harmonisation of national laws l Improved access to information l Regional harmonisation l Hazard communication along value chain l Product Stewardship beyond first customer

Useful assistance l Examples of harmonised regulatory approaches l Best practice in communication along value chain l Access to hazard information l Best practice training modules