Linking GHS to SAICM & the SAICM Quick Start Programme

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Linking GHS to SAICM the SAICM Quick Start
Programme
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• Regional Workshop on Chemical Hazard
  Communication GHS Implementation for Countries
  of the ECOWAS Region
• 13-15 May 2008
• Presented By Abiola Olanipekun,Nigeria
• African SAICM Regional Focal Point
• on behalf of
• SAICM Secretariat

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Objectives of Presentation

• Introduce SAICM, its key characteristics, the
  core SAICM texts, the ICCM the QSP
• Briefly review the GHS, its relevance linkages
  for SAICM implementation
• Discuss the SAICM QSP as a means of providing
  support for GHS activities

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What is SAICM ?

• SAICM is an international agreement providing a
  policy framework to support efforts to achieve
  the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (WSSD)
  notably
• achieve by 2020 that chemicals are used
  produced in ways that lead to the minimization of
  adverse effects on human health the
  environment

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The road to Dubai SAICM development process

• Initiated by UNEP Governing Council in 2002
• Three sessions of a preparatory committee (2003,
  2004 2005)
• Important characteristic of preparatory process
• Multi-stakeholder (Govs, IGO, NGO)
• Multi-sectoral (health, environment, labour,
  agriculture)
• Regional consultations
• Adopted by Ministers, Heads of delegation
  representatives of civil society private sector
  at International Conference on Chemicals
  Management (Dubai, 2006)

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Key Characteristics of SAICM (1)

• Provides a new framework for global action or the
  sound management of chemicals
• In the form of a voluntary international
  agreement
• To streamline, integrate build on existing
  efforts to safely manage hazardous chemicals
  wastes (e.g. Conventions such as Basel, Rotterdam
  Stockholm, IHR, non-binding agreements such as
  GHS)
• Formal endorsement by Governing Bodies of key
  intergovernmental organizations (WHO, UNEP, ILO,
  UNIDO, UNDP, UNITAR OECD)
• Increasingly referred to in Ministerial processes
  at regional level e.g. African Environment
  Ministers (AMCEN)

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Key Characteristics of SAICM (2)

• Addresses chemical safety throughout all stages
  of life cycle
• Recognizes the gaps needs of developing
  countries and countries in economic transition,
  particularly in relation to capacity-building
• Calls upon existing new sources of financial
  support including mobilization of new resources
  (e.g. QSP) building upon existing mechanisms
  to support its implementation ( e.g. Global
  Environment Facility the GEF)

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The core SAICM texts resolutions

• Dubai Declaration
• The political commitment to SAICM implementation
• Overarching Policy Statement
• Setting out scope, statement of needs,
  objectives, financial considerations, principles
  approaches, modalities for implementation
  reviewing progress
• Global Plan of Action
• Provides guidance on work areas activities that
  may be undertaken by stakeholders to give effect
  to SAICM
• Resolutions (4)
• Incl. implementation arrangements Quick Start
  Programme

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The Quick Start Programme (QSP)

• Resolution I/4 of the ICCM sets out objectives
  strategic priorities for the QSP
• The objective of QSP is to support initial SAICM
  enabling capacity-building implementation
  activities
• developing countries, least developed countries,
  small island developing States and countries with
  economies in transition
• The QSP includes a new Trust Fund as well as
  multilateral, bilateral and other forms of
  cooperation
• Trust Fund support can be given for project
  applications from 50,000 to 250,000
• Following 4th round of QSP Trust Fund in April
  2008, over 10M USD has been disbursed for 57
  projects in 63 eligible countries

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The road from Dubai SAICM Implementation

• Key achievements have included
• Extensive system of National (149), regional (5)
  NGO Focal Points (50)
• First series of regional meetings completed
  marking start of implementation
• Quick Start Programme established 4 rounds of
  project applications appraised (137)
• Arrangements for second ICCM2 in preparation
  (11-15 May 2009, Geneva, Switzerland)

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SAICM implementation in Africa

• In Africa 44 of 53 countries have nominated NFP
• ECOWAS has 12/15
• First African regional meeting (11-14 Sept 07)
• Second African regional meeting
• Dar es Salaam 16-17 July 2008
• Active African Core Group to assist Regional
  Focal Point for Africa
• Ms Abiola OkanipekunMinistry of Environment,
  Nigeria
• Quick Start Programme
• Approved applications from African countries
  22/63 applications

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The linkage between SAICM and the GHS

• GHS is the global communication system for
  chemicals
• hazard identification (technical criteria
  guidance)
• hazard communication (language, warnings, images)
• guidance on the means/formats for communication
  (labels, MSDS)
• GHS provides the foundation for the safe
  management of chemicals
• Improving the sound management of chemicals is
  the heart of SAICM

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GHS in the political context of SAICM

• Dubai Declaration
• Para3 Insufficient progress has been made in
  international chemicals management
  (inlcuding) adoption of the GHS
• Para 11- Unwavering in commitment to promoting
  sound management of chemicalsin accordance with
  Agenda 21 WSSD Plan of Action
• WSSD Plan of Action 2002
• specifically promotes implementation of GHS by
  encouraging ..having the system fully operation
  by 2008

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GHS is consistent with the SAICM Overarching
Policy Strategy

• Objective B Knowledge Information
• To ensure for all stakeholders that information
  (on chemicals chemicals management) in
  appropriate languages is disseminated by making
  full use of communication mechanisms such as the
  GHS Subpara 15 b)ii
• To promote the implementation of the common
  definitions criteria contained in the GHS
  subpara 15 h)

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GHS in the context of the SAICM Global Plan of
Action

• Provides guidance on work areas activities that
  may be undertaken by stakeholders to give effect
  to SAICM
• Executive Summary identifies GHS as a global
  priority encourages implementation on the basis
  of an existing recognized standard, tool and
  approach (para c)
• Table B lists possible work areas associated
  activities

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Current Status of QSP Trust Fund

• Total number of project applications submitted
• in four rounds of the QSP trust fund
• 137 applications were received from
• 106 Governments (11 Multi-country)
• 31 from NGOs
• Overall 57 projects (41) were approved or
  conditionally approved
• Total 9,948,763 disbursed
• 51 from government
• 6 from civil society
• 28 applications (20) were considered incomplete
  or ineligible
• Suggestions offered by TFIC on resubmission of
  unsucessful eligible applications

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The QSP Trust Fund may help meet unmet needs to
support GHS activities

• Approximately 80 countries have identified a need
  for support to prepare for the GHS
• GHS was identified as a priority for first
  African regional meeting (Sept 06)
• WSSD Global Partnership for Capacity Building
  recommended that further emphasis should be given
  to linking GHS to SAICM
• SAICM Secretariat brought SAICM to attention of
  UN Sub-Committee of Experts (Dec 07)
• SAICM- QSP GHS Project applications are
  encouraged (none so far been appraised)

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QSP Trust Fund Key points for applicants (1)

• Eligible governments may apply for project
  funding from the QSP
• All eligible applications must be formally
  endorsed in writing by the SAICM QSP Focal Point
  in relevant country (list on SAICM web site)
• NGOs are eligible to apply if they demonstrate
  exceptional circumstances (e.g. expertise,
  address gap)
• Multi-country regional projects are also
  eligible
• Governments may apply for a multi-country project
  as well as a NGO national project over the
  lifetime of the QSP Trust Fund
• Applications should demonstrate multi-sectoral
  multi-stakeholder support involvement

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QSP Trust Fund Key points for applicants (2)

• Applications should make it clear the direct
  links between the project QSP objectives in
  particular which of the 3 strategic priorities
  are addressed
• a) Chemical profiles and identification of
  capacity needsb) Chemicals management
  institutions, plans, programmes and activities,
  building upon work conducted to implement
  international agreements
• c) Integrating i.e., mainstreaming chemicals
  in national strategies and development priorities

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QSP Trust FundProject appraisal

• Appraisal of applications in two rounds per year
  by Trust Fund Application Committee
• Compatibility with QSP objectives and strategic
  priorities (see ICCM I/4)
• Geographical balance, Sectoral balance
• Priority for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and
  Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
• Other relevant factors include co-funding
• multisectoral impact
• participation of stakeholders

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QSP Trust Fund application process

• There are 2 application rounds /yr. Next round
  closes at start of September 2008
• Applications are submitted in English only
• After each application deadline the SAICM
  secretariat screens applications for eligibility
• TFIC meets 2 months after applications close to
  review and make the appraisal of the applications
  
• The applicant is notified in writing by the SAICM
  secretariat of the Committees decision.

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QSP applications further guidance

• QSP Trust Fund application materials available on
  the SAICM web site http//www.chem.unep.ch/saicm/
  qsptf.htm
• IGOs (WHO, UNEP, UNITAR, ILO, UNDP, UNIDO) can
  provide guidance act as executing agency in
  agreement with applicant
• SAICM secretariat
• facilitates the application process
• provides advice to applicants
• screens applications for completeness
• services the Executive Board and Trust Fund
  Implementation Committee (TFIC)

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Conclusions

• SAICM is an important international initiative
  which helps focus on capacity-building needs.
• GHS implementation is already subject of the
  Dubai declaration SAICM Objectives Strategic
  priorities.
• SAICM QSP Trust Fund provides opportunities for
  initial capacity building support. The SAICM
  secretariat and international organizations stand
  ready to assist in developing project proposals.

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Contact Information

• SAICM Secretariatc/o Chemicals Branch,
  UNEP/DTIE, 11-13 Chemin des Anémones,
  International Environment House CH-1219
  Châtelaine, Geneva, Switzerlandsaicm_at_chemicals.un
  ep.ch
• http//www.chem.unep.ch/saicm/