Implementation of GHS: Presented to the UNITAR workshop in Alexandria, Egypt October 2006 Fred Goede an industry view an industry view

Outline Implementation progressImplementation progress –Regions –Timeframes ChallengesChallenges Role of industryRole of industry Industry initiativesIndustry initiatives Way forwardWay forward

Implementation of GHS: Progress in some countries

OHS government's semi-annual regulatory agenda published in 2005 includes GHS. an advance notice of proposed rulemaking published in 2006 EPA white paper on implementation of the GHS for pesticides has been consulted on with stakeholders. Consumer Products work done on a situational analysis on consumer products DOT planning to adopt the necessary changes to be consistent with the GHS in 2007, and have them go into effect in USA

Consultation document released for commentConsultation document released for comment Implementation aligned with REACHImplementation aligned with REACH Transitional periods:Transitional periods: –Substances: 5 years –Mixtures: 10 years EU

Japan2006/2010 Australia2006/8 Philippines2006 Chinese Taipei2006 Thailand2007/8 South Africa2007/8 Other countries

Implementation of GHS: Challenges

Challenges Significant legislative amendmentsSignificant legislative amendments Co-ordination across fragmented national systemsCo-ordination across fragmented national systems Number of substances in marketNumber of substances in market Chemical industry structureChemical industry structure Training requiredTraining required

Challenges Decisions on discretionary elementsDecisions on discretionary elements Substances vs. mixturesSubstances vs. mixtures Translation into non UN languagesTranslation into non UN languages Harmonisation of timeframes and requirements globallyHarmonisation of timeframes and requirements globally

Implementation of GHS: Role of industry

Current situation In many countries classification and hazard communication mandatoryIn many countries classification and hazard communication mandatory Industry obligations:Industry obligations: –Classification through testing –Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals –Label according to hazard classification –Ensure packaging and transport according to hazard classification –Train workforce

GHS implementation Classification and hazard communication likely to be made mandatory in more countriesClassification and hazard communication likely to be made mandatory in more countries Industry obligations will remain the same:Industry obligations will remain the same: –Classification through testing or existing hazard data –Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals –Label according to hazard classification –Ensure packaging and transport according to hazard classification –Train workforce

Implementation of GHS: Industry initiatives

Responsible Care Occupational health and safetyOccupational health and safety –Risk management requires hazard classification Pollution preventionPollution prevention –Classification of waste Product stewardshipProduct stewardship –Hazard communication down value chain

Global Product Strategy Generation of hazard data: HPVGeneration of hazard data: HPV Communication of hazard along the value chainCommunication of hazard along the value chain Working with downstream customers to ensure risks are understood and managedWorking with downstream customers to ensure risks are understood and managed

Capacity building Raising awareness at enterprise levelRaising awareness at enterprise level Support for international initiativesSupport for international initiatives Sharing of best practice and dataSharing of best practice and data Support for UNITAR capacity building on GHSSupport for UNITAR capacity building on GHS

Technical support Contribution to end point testingContribution to end point testing Participation in OECD technical committeesParticipation in OECD technical committees Use of accredited testing facilitiesUse of accredited testing facilities Compliance with Good Laboratory PracticeCompliance with Good Laboratory Practice Participation in UN SubcommitteeParticipation in UN Subcommittee

Partnerships Successful implementation will depend onSuccessful implementation will depend on –co-operation amongst countries –partnerships between Government and private sector –sharing information amongst companies –trade facilitation

Way forward Agree global transition period to facilitate tradeAgree global transition period to facilitate trade Share implementation experiencesShare implementation experiences Make new versions of the GHS more readily incorporated in national legislationMake new versions of the GHS more readily incorporated in national legislation Expedite harmonisation with UN model transport regulationsExpedite harmonisation with UN model transport regulations