The Role of the Civil Society The Role of the Civil Society in GHS Implementationin GHS Implementation

Presentation by: Presentation by:

Rachel KamandeRachel KamandePSR – Kenya (IPEN PO)PSR – Kenya (IPEN PO)

What are NGOs?What are NGOs?NGOs belong to the category of organizations NGOs belong to the category of organizations that are non-profit in nature and therefore not a that are non-profit in nature and therefore not a part of the business community. They are also, part of the business community. They are also,

as the name suggests, not a part of as the name suggests, not a part of government. Like governments however, government. Like governments however, NGOs are intended to work for society’s NGOs are intended to work for society’s

common good and like businesses, they define common good and like businesses, they define their own agenda. NGOs play an important their own agenda. NGOs play an important

complimentary role to governments and complimentary role to governments and businesses.businesses.

What are some of the main functions What are some of the main functions of NGOs? of NGOs?

To create public awareness on important issues of To create public awareness on important issues of concern; concern;

To advocate for necessary changes in society or To advocate for necessary changes in society or society’s ways of doing things; society’s ways of doing things;

To monitor the activities of governments, To monitor the activities of governments, multinational organizations and other powerful multinational organizations and other powerful entities with a view to ensuring good governance; entities with a view to ensuring good governance;

To help develop alternative models of development To help develop alternative models of development that governments’ bureaucracies might not have the that governments’ bureaucracies might not have the flexibility to develop but which they (governments) flexibility to develop but which they (governments) could be interested in adopting if proved to be could be interested in adopting if proved to be successful; successful;

To help implement programmes especially at To help implement programmes especially at the grassroots level.the grassroots level.

In Kenya, NGO representation in chemicals In Kenya, NGO representation in chemicals management efforts is evident with most activemanagement efforts is evident with most active

NGOs in issues of chemical safety activelyNGOs in issues of chemical safety actively participating in sound chemicals management participating in sound chemicals management

activities. The number of NGOsactivities. The number of NGOs operating in the area of chemicals management isoperating in the area of chemicals management is

not many but their contributions in not many but their contributions in terms of increased awareness on the need to a terms of increased awareness on the need to a more integrated approach towards chemicalsmore integrated approach towards chemicals

management in both the relevant public management in both the relevant public authorities and various other organizations authorities and various other organizations

is exemplary. is exemplary.

NGOs and Chemical safetyNGOs and Chemical safety NGOs work extensively to promote better NGOs work extensively to promote better

management of chemicals in all sectors. management of chemicals in all sectors. They generate guidance and policy, and They generate guidance and policy, and create opportunities for information and create opportunities for information and experience sharing on matters related to experience sharing on matters related to chemicals regulation. chemicals regulation. They serve as effective They serve as effective advocates, watchdogs, and as effective partners in advocates, watchdogs, and as effective partners in the design and implementation of activities that the design and implementation of activities that enhance chemical safety.enhance chemical safety.

The Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical The Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) recognizes the vital role of non-Safety (IFCS) recognizes the vital role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in raising governmental organizations (NGOs) in raising

public awareness and priority setting. public awareness and priority setting. Involvement of these organizations helps Involvement of these organizations helps create synergies in addressing the various create synergies in addressing the various

global environmental issues.global environmental issues.

NGOs have been engaged in the SAICM process NGOs have been engaged in the SAICM process right from the beginning… right from the beginning… we are hoping that we are hoping that the process will be successfully concluded in the process will be successfully concluded in

Dubai next year (2006).Dubai next year (2006).

Public interest NGOs (international, Public interest NGOs (international, national, regional and local) have a national, regional and local) have a critical role to play in influencing critical role to play in influencing

democratic and popular opinion about democratic and popular opinion about chemical safety and its importance. They chemical safety and its importance. They

also have a critical role in helping to also have a critical role in helping to ensure that the design and the ensure that the design and the

implementation of the activities and implementation of the activities and programs are appropriate and effective, programs are appropriate and effective,

and that the intended results are both well and that the intended results are both well designed and achieved. designed and achieved.

PSR – Kenya’s interest in GHS PSR – Kenya’s interest in GHS implementationimplementation

The organization has been and continues to be an The organization has been and continues to be an active participant of the International POPs active participant of the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN). It co-hosted the Elimination Network (IPEN). It co-hosted the Second NGO Forum on the Inter-governmental Second NGO Forum on the Inter-governmental Negotiation Forum (INC2) in Nairobi; and is Negotiation Forum (INC2) in Nairobi; and is currently the regional focal point for East Africa currently the regional focal point for East Africa besides being a member of IPEN’s Coordinating besides being a member of IPEN’s Coordinating Committee. We are also members of Health Care Committee. We are also members of Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) and the current Vice Without Harm (HCWH) and the current Vice President of International Society of Doctors for President of International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE) Africa. the Environment (ISDE) Africa.

PSR - Kenya is the vice-chair of the PSR - Kenya is the vice-chair of the national steering committee on POPs, and national steering committee on POPs, and chairs the DDT sub-committee. In chairs the DDT sub-committee. In addition, PSR-Kenya has been addition, PSR-Kenya has been instrumental in the development of the instrumental in the development of the National Chemicals profile and the National Chemicals profile and the national implementation plan for the national implementation plan for the Stockholm convention. These initiatives Stockholm convention. These initiatives are vital in paving way for the are vital in paving way for the implementation of the GHS.implementation of the GHS.

Studies we conducted on the POPs Studies we conducted on the POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) situation (Persistent Organic Pollutants) situation in the country together with other in the country together with other participating organizations of the participating organizations of the International POPs Elimination Project International POPs Elimination Project (IPEP) revealed that Africa has a lot of (IPEP) revealed that Africa has a lot of ground to cover with regard to proper ground to cover with regard to proper management of chemicals. We also management of chemicals. We also established that there is urgent need to established that there is urgent need to develop chemicals information network develop chemicals information network within the continent. within the continent.

IPENIPEN The International POPs Elimination The International POPs Elimination

Network (IPEN) links over 350 Network (IPEN) links over 350 organizations on issues related to POPs organizations on issues related to POPs and other chemicals. and other chemicals.

The mission of IPEN, achieved through The mission of IPEN, achieved through its participating organizations, is to work its participating organizations, is to work for the global elimination of persistent for the global elimination of persistent organic pollutants, on an expedited yet organic pollutants, on an expedited yet socially equitable basis. socially equitable basis.

The IPEPThe IPEP

The formal title of the IPEP project is The formal title of the IPEP project is “Fostering Active and Effective Civil “Fostering Active and Effective Civil

Society Participation in Preparations for Society Participation in Preparations for

Implementation of the Stockholm Implementation of the Stockholm

Convention.” The short name being Convention.” The short name being International POPs Elimination Project. International POPs Elimination Project.

IPEP has three goals: IPEP has three goals: Encourage and enable NGOs in 40 developing and Encourage and enable NGOs in 40 developing and

transitional countries to engage in activities that transitional countries to engage in activities that provide concrete and immediate contributions to provide concrete and immediate contributions to country efforts in preparing for the implementation of country efforts in preparing for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention; the Stockholm Convention;

Enhance the skills and knowledge of NGOs to help Enhance the skills and knowledge of NGOs to help build their capacity as effective stakeholders in the build their capacity as effective stakeholders in the Convention implementation process; Convention implementation process;

Help establish regional and national NGO Help establish regional and national NGO coordination and capacity in all regions of the world coordination and capacity in all regions of the world in support of longer term efforts to achieve chemical in support of longer term efforts to achieve chemical safety. safety.

IPEP projects include country situation reports,IPEP projects include country situation reports, POPs inventories, sampling of breast milk and POPs inventories, sampling of breast milk and eggs, social and economic impact of POPs eggs, social and economic impact of POPs pesticides, participation in the National pesticides, participation in the National Implementation Plans, policy briefs and public Implementation Plans, policy briefs and public awareness material. Findings from these studiesawareness material. Findings from these studiesform the basis for analysis of the chemical form the basis for analysis of the chemical situation in the respective countries in order tosituation in the respective countries in order to aid in development of strategies for theaid in development of strategies for theImplementation of MEAs.Implementation of MEAs.

The Kitengela study within IPEPThe Kitengela study within IPEPStudy on a contaminated site (Kitengela obsoleteStudy on a contaminated site (Kitengela obsolete

pesticides store) in Kenya pesticides store) in Kenya

((http://www.oztoxics.org/ipepweb/http://www.oztoxics.org/ipepweb/) which ) which

revealed in Kenya there is no national chemicalrevealed in Kenya there is no national chemical

hazard communication system and hazard communication system and regulations/legislation on production, regulations/legislation on production,

export/import and use of chemicals are weak. export/import and use of chemicals are weak.

However, these regulations are being developedHowever, these regulations are being developed

and therefore the GHS would be very instrumental in and therefore the GHS would be very instrumental in

shaping these regulations.shaping these regulations.

Other findings from the study Other findings from the study include:include:

Poor or lack of labeling;Poor or lack of labeling; Lack of criteria for hazards;Lack of criteria for hazards; Untrained personnel to man the store;Untrained personnel to man the store; Poor disposal methods – “barbequing” of Poor disposal methods – “barbequing” of

the obsolete stocks at KIWM the obsolete stocks at KIWM “barbeque”!!“barbeque”!!

Unlabelled Chemicals at the Kitengela Obsolete Pesticide store

Civil Societies Role in GHS Civil Societies Role in GHS implementationimplementation

Awareness creation and dissemination of data Awareness creation and dissemination of data particularly at the grassroots level (consumer level)particularly at the grassroots level (consumer level)

Identification of gaps within the GHS and providing Identification of gaps within the GHS and providing recommendations for amendmentsrecommendations for amendments

Monitoring the implementation/compliance of the Monitoring the implementation/compliance of the GHS by the governments and other stakeholders that GHS by the governments and other stakeholders that have acceded to the use/adoption of the GHShave acceded to the use/adoption of the GHS

Research on hazards of chemicals, and establishing Research on hazards of chemicals, and establishing the hazard criteriathe hazard criteria

assist in assessing the applicability of the GHS assist in assessing the applicability of the GHS on chemicals classification and labeling in on chemicals classification and labeling in their respective countries prior to adoption;their respective countries prior to adoption;

influence policies of the national governments influence policies of the national governments to adopt/incorporate the GHS by 2008 – the to adopt/incorporate the GHS by 2008 – the target set by the WSSD;target set by the WSSD;

securing implementation of the Multilateral securing implementation of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in line Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in line with the provisions of the GHS.with the provisions of the GHS.

to define/develop a strategy for effective to define/develop a strategy for effective implementation and domestication of the GHS;implementation and domestication of the GHS;

To enhance public participation in GHS To enhance public participation in GHS implementation deliberations and programsimplementation deliberations and programs

Generation of relevant data to aid the Generation of relevant data to aid the development of a comprehensive chemical development of a comprehensive chemical hazard system commensurate with country hazard system commensurate with country situation;situation;

Gap analysis to beef-up the GHS and the Gap analysis to beef-up the GHS and the development of user-friendly tools for risk development of user-friendly tools for risk assessment.assessment.

Expected Outputs of NGO Expected Outputs of NGO involvement in GHS implementationinvolvement in GHS implementation better regulation of chemicals especially in better regulation of chemicals especially in

developing countries, including better control over developing countries, including better control over imports, adherence to packaging and labelling imports, adherence to packaging and labelling requirements, quality controls and product requirements, quality controls and product registration;registration;

better management of hazardous chemicals, including better management of hazardous chemicals, including storage and handling, as a result of monitoring the storage and handling, as a result of monitoring the enforcement of GHS compliant standards;enforcement of GHS compliant standards;

decentralization of chemical hazard communication decentralization of chemical hazard communication systems;systems;

greater awareness of the importance of greater awareness of the importance of adherence to the GHS standards of chemicals adherence to the GHS standards of chemicals classification and labelling. This will result in classification and labelling. This will result in greater attention being given to the way greater attention being given to the way hazardous chemicals are handled and clarity hazardous chemicals are handled and clarity and comprehensiveness in labelling on the part and comprehensiveness in labelling on the part of national authorities, industry, donors and of national authorities, industry, donors and others;others;

strengthening of national regulations on strengthening of national regulations on production, export/imports and use of production, export/imports and use of chemicals, compliant with the GHS on chemicals, compliant with the GHS on chemicals classification and labeling;chemicals classification and labeling;

facilitate/ boost public access to data – facilitate/ boost public access to data – government agencies vary widely in the extent government agencies vary widely in the extent to which they provide the data in a form that is to which they provide the data in a form that is usable to any but a small group of experts and usable to any but a small group of experts and the level of effort that they require a citizen to the level of effort that they require a citizen to expend to get the data expend to get the data

Activities that NGOs can undertake Activities that NGOs can undertake to contribute to GHS to contribute to GHS

implementation implementation

Data collection/generationData collection/generation Facilitate and call for testing of chemicals Facilitate and call for testing of chemicals Risk assessmentRisk assessment Risk ReductionRisk Reduction Policy Analysis Policy Analysis

Training and EducationTraining and Education Monitoring implementation and enforcementMonitoring implementation and enforcement Development of information exchange Development of information exchange

networks (regional, national and local)networks (regional, national and local)

Challenges facing NGOs in the Challenges facing NGOs in the implementation of the GHSimplementation of the GHS

NGOs albeit high credibility among the public and NGOs albeit high credibility among the public and decision makers, need assistance in building decision makers, need assistance in building strategies, training, and even coordination between strategies, training, and even coordination between themselves.themselves.

Environmental NGOs face different problems and Environmental NGOs face different problems and different political systems around the world. NGOs in different political systems around the world. NGOs in developing countries and countries with economies in developing countries and countries with economies in transition face various challenges like lack of transition face various challenges like lack of resources – financial and technical, conflicts with the resources – financial and technical, conflicts with the governments and powerful business interests.governments and powerful business interests.

It is encouraging to see that most governments It is encouraging to see that most governments recognize the significant role of NGOs in GHS recognize the significant role of NGOs in GHS implementation.implementation.

Sadly, some evidence also suggests that there are still Sadly, some evidence also suggests that there are still other government agencies that are becoming less other government agencies that are becoming less willing to work with the NGO community to provide willing to work with the NGO community to provide effective access to information for the public. effective access to information for the public.

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