International system of classification, labeling of chemicals urged

Trade and Industry Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Elmer C. Hernandez yesterday urged the adoption of the international system of classification and labeling of chemicals or GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification of Chemicals) by all countries to preserve the world’s environment.

Hernandez said that the prevailing international system of classification and labeling is inadequate.

Proof of this, Hernandez said, is a recent study conducted by UNITAR that shows 70 percent of countries surveyed have labeling difficulties, mislabeling, or lack of comprehension of hazard communication elements that result to human or environmental health problems.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that work-related fatalities attributed to dangerous substances (chemicals or dusts) number about 438,000 annually worldwide."

Hernandez recently made his appeal during the four-day Regional Workshop on Chemical Hazard Communication and GHS Implementation for Countries of ASEAN which was held in Manila from October 17 to 20, 2005.

According to Hernandez, "It is imperative that every country in the world adopt the GHS to achieve safer and healthier homes, farms, factories and cargoes."

The GHS adopts a comprehensive approach for defining hazards of chemicals, applying hazard criteria, using an agreed methodology to classify chemicals; and communicating hazard information which constitutes an important tool for protecting human health and the environment.

The recently concluded four-day workshop was conducted to provide detailed information on the GHS as well as background on the current situation of classification and labeling in the ASEAN countries.

Special focus was given to existing differences and future challenges of hazard communication and GHS implementation for government, industry and civil society in the four sectors of industrial workplace, agriculture, transport and consumer products.

The workshop also focused on identifying appropriate ways and means, at the national and regional levels for GHS implementation by 2008.

During the workshop, Hernandez explained that the Philippines’ hosting of the regional workshop is in recognition of the country’s track record in international environmental accords.

He cited the Department of Trade and Industry’s able handling of the Private Sector Participation in Managing the Environment, otherwise known as the PRIME Project of the United Nations Development Program.

He also reported the Philippine passage of the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Act in 1990, in response to the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which bans the importation, shortage and transportation of toxic nuclear wastes into or through the Philippines. The Protocol also inspired the government to approve the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 which provides a holistic national program for air pollution management.

Moreover, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued in 1994 an Administrative Order to restrict the importation of recyclable materials containing hazardous substances which complies with the 1989 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal.

During the discussions, the ASEAN representatives agreed to undertake activities and improve existing ones to overcome GHS implementation obstacles at the national and regional levels involving the government, industry and civil society organizations in all sectors.

Among the main obstacles cited include lack of awareness, lack of knowledge and information about the GHS; non-existing or fragmented/conflicting national regulations/legislation; lack of capacity in SMEs, problem in the informal sector, numerous local languages, differing regional structures; lack of resources; and lack of training.

The representatives also agreed that the GHS classification and harmonized communication elements should be integrated into other existing international standards of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Health Organization, International Labor Organization, etc.

Hernandez said that by implementing GHS, countries without existing systems gain a framework for chemical classification. "It also promotes awareness of chemical hazards in communities and among workers; eliminates the need for multiple testing and streamlining of hazard communication, strengthens regulatory compliance; and provides a basis for sound chemicals management systems," Hernandez added.

"Countries that implement the GHS are working on a level playing field with GHS compliant countries or companies which mean unhampered trade and cooperation since their systems are harmonized," Hernandez said.

The GHS Workshop is organized through the collaboration of the Philippine government, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the ILO, with financial support from the European Union, the Switzerland government and Foreign Affairs Canada.

The workshop is a contribution to the WSSD Global Partnership for Capacity Building to Implement the GHS and is part of the series of regional and sub-regional GHS awareness-raising and implementation workshops coordinated and supported through UNITAR and the ILO.