Theme No. 1 Technical Aspects

1. What are the current technical challenges to GHS criteria? Government: Process of classification – different sets of data; –better guidance on how to interpret or what set of data to be used –To set up a GHS working group to work out a harmonise list of chemicals which are in a high concern based on the existing classification from Japan, Korea and EU CLP listing. We could harmonize sort out those with different ones within the team. List of industrial chemicals – criteria such as high production volume - common definition agreed by countries, carcinogenicity, etc.- EU, Japan list –ASEAN Secretariat or APEC - to work on this agenda in setting up an ASEAN list Different building blocks – by different countries –Set up a working group to take into consideration the experience of countries in implementing GHS –Look into process of GHS implementation –Fixed guidelines –Different cut-offs

1. What are the current technical challenges to GHS criteria? Government Laboratory data produced in some countries are not accepted internationally – need for mutual recognition agreement Issue on CBIs - when it can be used Waste – do we need to harmonize it with GHS ? Need for guidelines to consider it as mixtures or as a separate classification –Long term: Consider classification of domestic wastes as industrial wastes Long Term: “legally-binding” instrument; mechanism for implementation

1. What are the current technical challenges to GHS criteria? Industry Capacity-building –Training programme that will lead to standards –Lack of technical experts within the region MSDS-language (dual language) Too many precautionary statements –Limited to up to 6 phrases (criteria for prioritization) in some countries Different supplier with different SDS – how to harmonize? –e.g. Japan – an association harmonizes the SDS

2. What steps need to be taken by stakeholders (especially government and industry) to overcome these challenges in a coordinated way? Close partnership among Government/industry ---- meet/collaborate; dialogue –UNITAR documents (2) – how to start GHS implementation; purple book Train the trainer- local Specialized training for 3 sectors – private, consumer products, health sector Inventory of where resources are in terms of expertise –Government –industry Tools that are needed for training - UNITAR Best practices for those implementing GHS Tools – fixed cut-off limits (UNITAR) Coordination inter/intra - including the region. –APEC Clearing-house for information exchange - UNITAR Acceptable database on chemicals – like OECD to come up with a web Portal on chemicals Mixtures – software to classify mixtures (METI-Japan) ---- to be translated into English Government to reach-out/involve academia as part of pool of technical experts – provide incentives

3. What further technical issues will be faced in the future and how should all stakeholders prepare to address them? Coping mechanism of countries – adopt changes –Need for countries to observe/discuss before implementing Nanomaterials/articles – OEL –Research, information exchange among countries – APEC scientific group E-group for participants in this meeting Website – updates on GHS Risk-based analysis for consumer products – short/long term International organizations – harmonize GHS within the UN agencies (e.g FAO, WHO, etc.) Testing by using alternatives Technical support in the conduct of Laboratory tests – not accurate Risk communication – “right to know and obligation to inform”