APEC CHEMICAL DIALOGUE 9th Asia Pacific Responsible Care Conference

1. APEC CHEMICAL DIALOGUE 9th Asia Pacific Responsible Care Conference November 16, 2005 * EDSA Shangri-La Hotel Manila, Philippines by Datuk Ir Mohamed Al Amin Hj Abdul MajidChemical Industries Council of Malaysia

2. INTRODUCTION • Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) is a 21-member organisation • APEC Chemical Dialogue is an official APEC sub-forum • APCIC and APEC Ministers endorsed the formation of the Chemical Dialogue in 2002 • Objective is to discuss trade and trade regulatory issues affecting the competitiveness and sustainable development of the chemical industry in the Asia Pacific region • To date, 4 Chemical Dialogues have taken place -- May 2002, 2003, 2004 & 2005

3. INTRODUCTION • Among the issues / items addressed by the Chemical Dialogue: 1. Continue GHS implementation activities 2. Continue REACH advocacy 3. Intensify work on RoHS 4. Joint meeting with SCSC and NFMD on issues of common interest 5. Continue to develop work programme on NTMs 6. Continue to share information and co-ordinate efforts on SAICM

4. GHS OF CLASSIFICATION & LABELLING OF CHEMICALS • A system for classification and risk communication introduced to develop a globally harmonised classification for chemical products, labels and safety data sheets • Enhance protection of human and environment, further facilitate international trade, ensure sound management of chemicals and reduces the need for testing and evaluation, thus saving cost and time • Based on building-block approach

5. GHS INITIATIVES BY THE CHEMICAL DIALOGUE • One of the top priorities of the Chemical Dialogue • Endorsed at the 1st Chemical Dialogue and also by the APEC Trade Ministers in year 2002 • As many APEC economies as possible to implement on a voluntary basis the GHS on hazard classification and labelling of chemicals and SDS by the year 2006 and encouraged officials to work in that direction, including capacity building • Timeline ahead of UN’s target date of implementation by year 2008

6. GHS INITIATIVES BY THE CHEMICAL DIALOGUE • Next steps - implementation of GHS through awareness programmes and workshops: 1. 1st APEC GHS Seminar - Chinese Taipei on Sept 22-24, 2003 2. 2nd APEC GHS Seminar - Kuala Lumpur on Sept 7-9, 2004 • Includes GHS presentations and training efforts by co-chair of the Chemical Dialogue, experts from Japan, Ms Karon Armstrong of 3M International, etc. • Other efforts - documentation of APEC’s role in GHS implementation, benefits on GHS, “Friends of Chair”, reporting format on progress of implementation, etc. • Individual APEC economies have organised their own capacity building activities including consultations between government and industry on implementation efforts

7. GHS INITIATIVES AT ASEAN LEVEL • ASEAN-OSHNet developing an ASEAN Guideline on classification, labelling and packaging of hazardous chemicals • In July 2003, the ASEAN-OSHNet Co-ordinating Board endorsed the resolution that GHS to be used as the basis of the ASEAN Guideline • Draft guideline currently being prepared and to be discussed at the workshop in 1st quarter of 2006, jointly organised with UNITAR • The ASEAN Chemical Industries Council (ACIC) welcomes and supports the initiative • Reinforced their support by writing to the ASEAN Trade Ministers seeking their support towards the ASEAN-OSHNet effort

8. CURRENT SITUATION IN MALAYSIA Initiatives by the Industry: • CICM voiced its support to the Government on implementation of GHS in Malaysia • Efforts to create awareness, support by and capacity building for the industry on the GHS implementation includes: 1. Briefing on CPL Regulations 1997 and GHS on Classification and Labelling of Chemicals and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) - May 20, 2003 2. FMM - JETRO GHS Seminar & Technical Workshops in February 2004, June 2005 & August 2005

9. CURRENT SITUATION IN MALAYSIA Initiatives by the Government: • Various government ministries and departments have particular jurisdiction over different types of chemicals and products

10. CURRENT SITUATION IN MALAYSIA Initiatives by the Government: • Currently only a few government agencies are seen to be taking steps towards GHS implementation • DOSH has put up application to get GHS to be adopted as a Malaysian Standard, published pamphlets on GHS for awareness raising and drafting a new regulation on classification, labelling and hazard information based on the GHS • MOH drafting a Pharmacy Bill and noting that GHS will have an implication on the chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients imported and used by the industry, the Bill will make reference to the GHS requirements

11. GHS IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES • Need for co-ordination and consensus among the government agencies to implement GHS. Important to have a “top-down” direction from the government to ensure that various agencies work together on the implementation. • CICM has proposed that the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to lead the formation of a co-ordinating body for implementation of GHS in Malaysia • Development of new laws or amending existing laws to comply with GHS will affect industries • Increased demand for technical translators • Need to educate i.e. consumers on new product labels for consumer products

12. GHS & RESPONSIBLE CARE • Implementation of GHS also contributes to the efforts of protecting the chemical industry’s workers and consumer’s safety and health • Relates very much to the objective of Responsible Care • The Product Stewardship and Community Awareness and Emergency Response Codes outlines the social responsibility of chemical companies to provide information of their products to the stakeholders • By adopting GHS, companies can provide relevant, accurate and consistent SHE information and communicate effectively with their customers / users and the public on their products

13. CONCLUSION

14. THANK YOU