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Global Partnership for Capacity Building to Implement the Globally Harmonized System for Chemical Classification and Labelling (GHS
[last updated August 31, 2006 10:26 AM]
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General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected TimeframeSeptember 2002 - December 2008 |
Partners
Governments:
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Major Groups:
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UN System:
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Other intergovernmental organizations:
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Other:
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Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
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Secondary Themes:
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Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: Global
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Zambia |
National Focal Points
This partnership has not made any contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the countries involved
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Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
The goal of the WSSD GHS Partnership is to mobilize support and catalyze partnerships for coordinated activities at the global, regional and national levels to strengthen capacities in developing countries and countries in transition towards effective implementation of the GHS. In the medium and long-term, the Partnership is expected to lead to a decrease in environmental and human health related effects attributable to the use of hazardous chemicals. It thus makes a direct contribution to important objectives of sustainable development including protection of marginalized groups, protection of water supplies and drinking water, and poverty eradication.Specific objectives of the Partnership include mobilization of resources for:
* awareness raising, capacity assessment and GHS implementation at the regional level;
* awareness raising, capacity assessment and GHS implementation at the national level; and
* development of GHS guidance, training and resource material.
* awareness raising, capacity assessment and GHS implementation at the regional level;
* awareness raising, capacity assessment and GHS implementation at the national level; and
* development of GHS guidance, training and resource material.
Targets and Progress
Partnership targetsThe following constitutes the agreed Framework Workplan for the Partnership. Activities are grouped into four programme areas.
(1) GHS Capacity Development at the Regional Level * Regional GHS Awareness Raising Workshops (indicator: number of workshops organized) * Regional GHS Capacity Assessments (indicator: number of assessments prepared) * Regional GHS Implementation Strategies (indicator: number of strategies prepared) (2) GHS Capacity Development at the National Level * National GHS Awareness Raising Workshops (indicator: number of workshops organized) * National GHS Situation Analyses (indicator: number of analyses prepared) * National GHS Action Plans (indicator: number of countries with developed Action Plans) * National GHS Implementing Legislation (indicator: number of countries with GHS implementing legislation in place) (3) Development of GHS Awareness Raising, Capacity Building Guidance and Training Materials * Guidance documents to support national GHS Action Plan projects (indicator: guidance package prepared, peer-reviewed and pilot tested) * GHS E-learning Course (indicator: GHS Training Course prepared and piloted tested) (4) Supporting Activities and Services for GHS Capacity Development * Translation of the GHS document (indicator: number of language versions available) * Interactive GHS Partnership website (indicator: website online, including updated list of worldwide GHS capacity building activities, GHS capacity building resources, links to the GHS sites, and an interactive section for dialogue and Q&A) * GHS Virtual Capacity Building Library (indicator: Library available online and as CD ROM) |
Progress against targetsFor 2004: please refer to the Partnership's 2004 Annual Report available at http://www.unitar.org/cwm/publications/current/ghs/AR_2004_FINAL.pdf
For 2003: please refer to the Partnership's 2003 Annual Report available at http://www.unitar.org/cwm/publications/AR_2003_final.pdf: (1) GHS Capacity Development at the Regional Level * One regional GHS awareness raising workshop held for the SADC region (1-4 September 2003, Livingstone, Zambia). * One sub-regional GHS capacity needs assessment and implementation report initiated in the SADC region( 2) GHS Capacity Development at the National Level * Pilot projects on national GHS Action Plan Development ongoing in two countries (Zambia, South Africa), via UNITAR/ILO GHS Capacity Building Programme (2001-03) * Comprehensibility testing packages and studies completed in two countries, Zambia (2002) and South Africa (2003) (3) Development of GHS Awareness Raising, Capacity Building Guidance and Training Materials * Draft UNITAR/ILO guidance documents ?Preparing a National Chemical Hazard Communication Situation Analysis? and ?Developing and Implementing a National Chemical Hazard Communication and GHS Action Plan? prepared, reviewed and being pilot tested in UNITAR/ILO project countries * Guidance documents on precautionary statements, safety data sheets (SDS), and labelling under preparation by Sub-Committee of Experts on the GHS (serviced by the UNECE). (4) Supporting Activities and Services for GHS Capacity Development * Interactive GHS Partnership website online (August 2003) * GHS Virtual Capacity Building Library available online and as CD ROM (November 2003)* Completion of 2002 Annual Report for the GHS Partnership http://www.unitar.org/cwm/publications/FINAL_Oct2002.pdf * Completion of GHS needs assessment survey and report for developing and transition countries (UNITAR/ILO) * Evening workshop, "Implementing the GHS: Opportunities and Challenges" held at IFCS Forum IV (1 Nov. 2003) |
Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Human resources development/training
- Education/building awareness
- Institutional strengthening, including local participation
Development of institutional and human resources capacities for GHS implementation and hazard communication is at the core of the Partnership. The great majority of country project activities are executed through local organizations and partners. Also, a train-the-trainer approach and South-South collaboration forms an integral part of Partnership projects. For example, in the area of comprehensibility testing, the University of Cape Town has been requested to train experts at the University of Zambia, which in turn will train experts in other African countries. In addition, technology and know-how regarding classifying chemicals and safety information available through the private sector in developed countries will be transferred to the private sector in developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
The Partnership relates directly to the implementation of Programme Area B of Chapter 19 of Agenda 21, Harmonization of classification and labelling of chemicals and in particular paragraph 19.31. Agenda 21 states that Governments and institutions and non-governmental organizations, with the collaboration of appropriate organizations and programmes of the United Nations, should launch training courses and information campaigns to facilitate the understanding and use of a new harmonized classification and compatible labelling system for chemicals.The Partnership is linked to paragraph 23 of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, in which governments renewed their commitment to the sound management of chemicals across a variety of important sectors. The need for support for developing countries to strengthen their capacities for the sound management of chemicals, through the provision of technical and financial assistance, was highlighted. More specifically, it was agreed to encourage countries to implement the new globally harmonized system for the classification and labelling of chemicals as soon as possible with a view to having the system fully operational by 2008 (para. 23.c). This target had also been adopted by the third session of the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety in 2000.
Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
International cooperation to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries and related domestic policies; Environmentally sound management of toxic chemicals, including prevention of illegal international traffic in toxic and dangerous products; Preamble; Children and youth in sustainable development
Relevant Sections of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 Integration of economic, social and environmental objectives; Sectors and issues; Means of implementation
Relevant Sections of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Changing unsustainable patterns of consumption and production ; Sustainable development for Africa ; Means of implementation ; Strengthening the institutional framework for sustainable development at the international level; Strengthening institutional arrangement for sustainable development at the regional level; Strengthening institutional frameworks for sustainable development at the national level; Participation of major groups
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the PartnershipA Meeting of the Partners will take place every two years, if possible prior to submission of bi-annual progress reports for the Partnership to the CSD Secretariat (the first Meeting of Partners was held 10 July 2003 in Geneva, Switzerland). The Meeting of Partners:
* takes stock of Partnership activities; * evaluates progress made against the objectives of the Partnership; * develops strategies to mobilize additional support for Partnership activities; * reviews the governance mechanism for the Partnership; and * adopts Partnership progress reports submitted to the Secretariat of the CSD. UNITAR, working closely with ILO and OECD, provides the day-to-day coordination and secretariat function. It will also link with the IFCS, ECOSOC Sub-committee of Experts on the GHS (SCEGHS), the CSD, and the IOMC on issues relevant to GHS capacity building and identify needs for additional guidance materials. |
Implementation Mechanism of the PartnershipThe First Meeting of Partners in July 2003 agreed that activities constitute a contribution to the GHS Partnership if they fall within the framework workplan. Activities are either implemented through the UNITAR/ILO GHS Capacity Building Programme or directly by Partners. In all cases, the activities should be co-ordinated through, and technically reviewed by, the Programme Advisory Group (PAG) of the UNITAR/ILO GHS Programme. It is recognized that other valuable GHS activities are implemented independently of the GHS Partnership. Those activities do not belong to the core program of the Partnership, but are referred to in a dedicated section of the Annual Partnership Report and are listed in the relevant sections of the Events page of the Partnership website.
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Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$: 336000
Source(s): Government - Private sector - NGO
A. Financial Support to UNITAR/ILO Implemented GHS Partnership Activities Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (BUWAL): $155,000 - Support of Partnership secretariat, including website development - Support of regional and national GHS implementation in SADC/South Africa - Development of Virtual GHS Capacity Building Library andCD ROM - Support of SADC regional GHS workshop, Sept. 2003 - Support of Forum IV GHS Evening Workshop, Nov. 2003 Minister for Development Cooperation, The Netherlands: $135,000 - 2003 capacity building activities in Sri Lanka, Zambia, South Africa and SADC International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA): $35,000 - Support of SADC regional GHS workshop, Sept. 2003 - Development of Partnership website - Forum IV GHS Evening Workshop, Nov. 2003 Society for Chemical Hazard Communication (SCHC): $10,000 - Forum IV GHS Evening Workshop, Nov. 2003 Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health: $1000 - Forum IV GHS Evening Workshop, Nov. 2003 |
Non-financial resources availableType(s): Staff
Source(s): Government - IGO
In-kind Financial Contributions to Partnership Activities Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Chemical Dialogue - Support for Seminar on GHS for APEC region, Sept. 2003 German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) - Support for 30 participants at SADC regional GHS workshop, Sept. 2003 - Support for 5 participants at Forum IV GHS Evening Workshop, Nov. 2003 Health Canada - Participation of resource person at SADC regional GHS workshop, Sept. 2003 - Participation of resource person at APEC GHS Seminar, Sept. 2003 - Participation of resource person at Forum IV GHS Evening Workshop, Nov. 2003 IFCS - Support for one resource person at SADC regional GHS workshop, Sept. 2003 National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, Australia - Participation of resource person at APEC GHS seminar, Sept. 2003 South Africa Department of Trade and Industry - Project support for National GHS Implementation Project (with UNITAR/ILO) |
Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$: 1000000
Source(s) already approached: 1,000,000 is sought for a period of 3 years.
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Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s): No specific pledges have been received to fund GHS capacity development activities in 2004 and beyond. UNITAR's role as Secretariat beyond 2003 is dependent on mobilization of adequate resources.
Source(s) approached and details: Government - Private sector - Foundations / charities - IGO - NGO
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Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
Background:
Communicating the hazards of dangerous chemicals to workers and the public is a key foundation for protecting human health and the environment. As a major break-through in this area, the Globally Harmonized System for Chemical Classification and Labelling (GHS) is expected to be approved by the UN Economic and Social Council Subcommittee of Experts on the GHS (SCEGHS) in December 2002 and by ECOSOC in early 2003, following more than a decade of technical work and negotiations after the Rio Summit in 1992. The GHS has the ultimate goal of ensuring that information on chemical hazards (such as labels and safety data sheets) is made available to workers and consumers in a harmonized and comprehensible format in countries around the world.
Early feedback from developing countries has documented that widespread adoption of the GHS and effective chemical hazard communication is only likely to occur if adequate support, training and technical assistance is made available to countries in need of building appropriate GHS-relevant legal and technical infrastructures. Suitable training and education will be required to ensure the proper use of GHS tools in different national contexts. This will be of particular importance to the developing countries and countries with economies in transition that did not take a direct part in the technical work of harmonization.
Leading Partner: UNITAR (with ILO and OECD) under the auspices of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC), a collaborative agreement among UNEP, ILO, WHO, UNIDO, FAO, UNITAR and OECD.
This programme is part of UNITAR's Training and Capacity Building Programmes in Chemicals and Waste Management; for further information, please see <www.unitar.org/cwg>.
Communicating the hazards of dangerous chemicals to workers and the public is a key foundation for protecting human health and the environment. As a major break-through in this area, the Globally Harmonized System for Chemical Classification and Labelling (GHS) is expected to be approved by the UN Economic and Social Council Subcommittee of Experts on the GHS (SCEGHS) in December 2002 and by ECOSOC in early 2003, following more than a decade of technical work and negotiations after the Rio Summit in 1992. The GHS has the ultimate goal of ensuring that information on chemical hazards (such as labels and safety data sheets) is made available to workers and consumers in a harmonized and comprehensible format in countries around the world.
Early feedback from developing countries has documented that widespread adoption of the GHS and effective chemical hazard communication is only likely to occur if adequate support, training and technical assistance is made available to countries in need of building appropriate GHS-relevant legal and technical infrastructures. Suitable training and education will be required to ensure the proper use of GHS tools in different national contexts. This will be of particular importance to the developing countries and countries with economies in transition that did not take a direct part in the technical work of harmonization.
Leading Partner: UNITAR (with ILO and OECD) under the auspices of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC), a collaborative agreement among UNEP, ILO, WHO, UNIDO, FAO, UNITAR and OECD.
This programme is part of UNITAR's Training and Capacity Building Programmes in Chemicals and Waste Management; for further information, please see <www.unitar.org/cwg>.