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The UNITAR/ILO Programme for Capacity Building to implement the GHS

The UNITAR/ILO Programme for Capacity Building to implement the GHS. Chemicals and Waste Management UNITAR. GHS Stocktaking Workshop For Southeast, East and Central Asia 15-17 September 2010 Beijing, People’s Republic of China. Outline. Overview on UNITAR Why is the GHS important

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The UNITAR/ILO Programme for Capacity Building to implement the GHS

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  1. The UNITAR/ILO Programme for Capacity Building to implement the GHS Chemicals and Waste Management UNITAR GHS Stocktaking Workshop For Southeast, East and Central Asia 15-17 September 2010 Beijing, People’s Republic of China

  2. Outline • Overview on UNITAR • Why is the GHS important • UNITAR/ILO GHS Programme • Resources • Conclusion

  3. Overview on UNITAR

  4. Overview UNITAR – “Knowledge to Lead” • established in 1965 – autonomous body in the UN system • original focus: UN institutional issues, peace and security issues, and economic and social issues • current training focus around: environment; governance; peace, security and diplomacy; and research Mission Statement • “To deliver innovative training and conduct research on knowledge systems to develop the capacity of beneficiaries.”

  5. Overview UNITAR CWM Mission • To provide legal, institutional and technical support to governments and stakeholders to develop sustainable capacity for managing dangerous chemicals and wastes • Project activities take place within the framework of implementing international agreementsaimed at protecting human health and the environment, while ensuring sustainable industrial development and facilitating trade of chemicals • Training is the main tool

  6. Overview • Active at national, regional and international levels • Developing countries, transition countries, least developed countries special focus (over 100 countries) • Main focus is the delivery of training/capacity development assistance at the national level, to assist countries to meet the huge number of chemicals-related challenges they face • UNITAR CWM’s work relates directly to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals

  7. Why is the GHS important

  8. Purpose of the GHS • To enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensible system for hazard communication; • To provide a recognized framework for countries without an existing system; • To reduce the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals; and • To facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazards have been properly assessed and identified on an international basis.

  9. Why is the GHS important

  10. Why is the GHS important

  11. The GHS and International Chemicals Agreements • GHS implementation can play an important role in facilitating implementation of international chemicals management agreements (e.g. Stockholm & Rotterdam Conventions) • Improved capacity for chemical classification and labeling (based on the GHS) can contribute to successfully meeting country obligations under these Conventions

  12. GHS and SAICM • The importance of implementing the GHS is recognised in the Overarching Policy Strategy (OPS) of SAICM, where implementation of the GHS is identified under the overall objective of “knowledge and information” • GHS also included as a SAICM work area in the Global Plan of Action

  13. International Responsibility on GHS Implementation

  14. International Responsibility for GHS Implementation • United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the GHS established in 2001 • Maintain the GHS provisions, update when necessary • Oversee implementation • International focal points established by the Subcommittee • United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) • International Labor Organization (ILO)

  15. Context for GHS Capacity Building • UNITAR/ILO nominated as focal point • Focus on supporting developing and transition countries • Global, Regional, National, Stakeholder activities • Programme Advisory Group (PAG) • WSSD Global GHS Partnership

  16. UNITAR/ILO Partnership Programme

  17. UNITAR/ILO activities – National level • Vietnam, Uruguay, Jamaica (2008-09) • Laos, Cambodia (2006-08) • Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand (2005-07) • The Gambia, Nigeria, Senegal (2004-2006) • Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zambia (2001-2003)

  18. UNITAR/ILO – New national activities • Barbados, Zambia, The Gambia, Congo (2010-12) – supported by SAICM QSPTF • PR China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines (2010-12) – supported by EU

  19. UNITAR/ILO – New national activities • Barbados, Zambia, The Gambia, Congo (2010-12) – supported by SAICM QSPTF • PR China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines (2010-12) – supported by EU CEE/CA (2006) China/East and Central Asia (2010) Arab Region (2006) ECOWAS (2008) ASEAN (2005-7) South America (2004) SADC (2003)

  20. UNITAR/ILO Approach Industrial Workplaces Transport Agriculture Consumer Products GHS Implementation Government Business/ Industry Public Interest/ Labour

  21. National Project Outcomes • Multi-stakeholder engagement and collaboration • Situation and Gap Analysis • Awareness raising and training • National GHS-implementing legislation • Sectoral implementation plans • High-level endorsement of a National GHS Implementation Strategy (“road map” for future activities)

  22. GHS Worldwide

  23. Resources

  24. Resources • Guidance Document on “Developing a National GHS Implementation Strategy” • Companion Handbook on “Understanding the GHS” • Website and GHS Capacity Building Library

  25. Resources • Training Courses (under development) • Regional Workshops • Annual Reports (2002-2009) • WSSD Global GHS Partnership

  26. WSSD Global GHS Partnership • Launched by UNITAR, ILO, and OECD in 2002 • strengthen capacities at all levels and sectors -- in particular in developing countries • “WSSD Partnerships”: to enable all stakeholders to make a concrete contribution to the outcomes of the WSSD • Meetings of the Partners (2003, 2007)

  27. Internet Resources • WSSD GHS Partnership: http://www.unitar.org/cwm/ghs_partnership/index.htm • UNITAR/ILO GHS Capacity Building Programme: http://www.unitar.org/cwm/ghs/index.html • UNSCEGHS Homepage http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_welcome_e.html

  28. Conclusion

  29. Conclusion • There is significant momentum internationally to adopt and implement the GHS. • GHS very helpful framework for developing countries – but challenging to implement! • The 2008 target will not be met, but significant progress has been made in many regions around the world (2008 the starting point?...) • There will be a continuing need to monitor implementation issues as they develop, and ensure they are addressed internationally.

  30. Thank you!

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