1. Regional Workshop on GHS Implementation for ASEAN Countries
Nelia Granadillos
Occupational Safety and Health Center
Department of Labor and Employment
Philippines

2. ASEAN GHS Project:
Strengthen capacities in ASEAN to implement the GHS by the year 2008
3 pilot countries - Indonesia,Thailand, Philippines,
Organized by UNITAR/ILO under the Global GHS Capacity Building Programme, and the Government of the Philippines
Supported by Government of Switzerland, Canada and European Union
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

3. ASEAN GHS Project:
Participation of 43 representatives from government, industry and civil society from 10 countries of ASEAN
Developed recommendations for action at national and regional level.
Reviewed the current status, challenges and limitations
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

4. Regional GHS Workshop Conclusions
Reaffirmed WSSD 2008 target and 2006 APEC target
Acknowledged the benefits of GHS
Agreed on the multi-sectoral mechanism
Considered to undertake national and regional activities to overcome obstacles
Acknowledged the need for harmonization with other international standards and conventions
Aimed to seek support from international donor agencies
Reaffirm the commitment to the WSSD target of GHS implementation by 2008, and the APEC 2006 target.
Acknowledge the benefits of appropriate GHS implementation, including improvement of the protection of human health and the environment, promotion of the safer use of chemicals, and facilitation of trade.
Acknowledge that the development of GHS implementation mechanisms should be multi-sectoral and involve government, industry, civil society and labour groups.
Acknowledge the main obstacles to implementation including: lack of awareness, knowledge and information among all stakeholders about the GHS and the hazards of chemicals; non-existing or fragmented/conflicting national regulations/legislation; lack of capacity in SMEs; problems in the informal sector; numerous local languages; differing regional structures; lack of resources and expertise; and lack of training.
Consider undertaking activities (and improve upon existing activities) to overcome obstacles at the national and regional levels involving government, industry, civil society and labour organizations in all sectors.
Identify and contact a wide range of donors, including relevant international agencies (e.g. UN SCEGHS, UNITAR, ILO, IPCS, FAO), cooperation agencies (e.g. JETRO, USAID) and industry technical training programmes (e.g. under APEC framework) to support national, sectoral and regional GHS implementation.
Acknowledge that GHS classification and harmonised hazard communication elements should be integrated in to other existing international standards (e.g. of FAO, WHO, ILO, etc.).
Acknowledge the linkages between the GHS and international agreements such as the Rotterdam Convention, Stockholm Convention, Basel Convention, Montreal Protocol, etc.

5. ASEAN COUNTRIES Brunei Darussalam Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam.

6. Regional Activities in ASEAN
Creation of ASEAN GHS Working group
Development of ASEAN GHS Implementation Programme
Intensify capacity building programs
Share the testing facilities in the region
Undertake GHS capacity assessment
Develop situational and gap analysis and potentially suitable legislation
Develop sectoral network to be involved in the national coordinating committee
ASEAN countries should be considered in the UNSCEGHS

7. National Strategies Government
prime movers covering a wide range of areas
develop the national implementation strategies involving the industry and civil society
officially legislate GHS
prescribe and conduct training program
incorporate chemical management in MDGs

8. National Strategies Industry
develop the labels and SDS and hazard classification
Provide training
Advocate for legislative support
Civil society
information sharing
link to all sectors
serve as monitors to ensure compliance
facilitate awareness raising campaign
advocate for legislative support

9. National Strategies All Sectors
Identify funding opportunities
Develop and update the national profile
Monitor progress of implementation activities

10. Sectoral Activities
Industrial Workplace – Provide incentive programs e.g “Best GHS Practitioner”
Agriculture – Develop a comprehensive hazards classification
Transport – Conduct situation/gap analysis and training to cover the drivers, customs, cargo handlers and emergency responders
Consumer Products – Carry out information campaign and make clear for consumers the difference between risk and hazard based labels.

11. Issues What “consumer products” might be within the scope of GHS?
How much information is required to classify mixtures?
How can GHS be incorporated into education curriculum?
Will there be an assessment of status of global implementation in 2008?
Will guidance for implementation be developed?
How are chemical by products regarded under GHS?
How can it be ensured that micro and SMEs understand the benefits of GHS?

12. Thank you