The chemical industry is a cross-cutting sector that contributes to most industrial and many non-industrial sectors - its products are widely traded across borders, and it is a
key economic building block in APEC economies.
The Chemical Dialogue (CD) serves as a forum for regulatory officials and industry representatives to find solutions to challenges facing the chemical industry and users of chemicals in the Asia-Pacific region. It reflects APEC members' recognition of the importance of engaging with the private sector and building public-private sector dialogue and cooperation for mutual benefit.
Issues addressed include chemical sector liberalisation, chemical trade facilitation and capacity building. The CD also focuses on improving regulatory policies and practices: it seeks workable regulatory programmes which ensure that regulatory, safety, and environmental goals can be implemented by both governments and business.
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The CD has been active in promoting implementation of the
United Nation's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) by APEC member economies. The GHS is a set of guidelines aimed at simplifying regulations and labeling requirements, as well as improving safety and environmental protection. Over the years the CD has conducted numerous workshops to provide economies with information on the GHS and to build capacity to facilitate its adoption.
In 2008, APEC Ministers endorsed the report of the CD's Virtual Working Group on GHS implementation issues entitled
Developing Clarity and Consistency in the Implementation of the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals as an APEC contribution to the UN's Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM). The SAICM is a policy framework aimed at promoting chemical safety around the world and is an initiative of the United Nations Environment Program.
APEC has also shown regional leadership by contributing the groundbreaking APEC
Best Practices for Chemical Regulation to the SAICM. The guidelines were formulated by APEC officials and industry representatives, and endorsed by APEC Ministers.
Representatives of the CD presented the Best Practices for Chemical Regulation and the GHS Virtual Working Group reports to the second session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management in Geneva, Switzerland in May 2009.
The CD is also addressing APEC member economies' and regional manufacturers' concerns about the potentially trade-distorting effects of the European Union's system of Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) legislation. The CD has undertaken to coordinate APEC engagement with the EU on these issues, and in 2008, the CD endorsed and transmitted to the European Commission a set of questions and letters on REACH implementation.
Chemical Dialogue Regulators' Forum
To support and complement the work of the CD, a Chemical Dialogue Regulators' Forum has been established with regular meetings commencing in 2009. The objectives of the Forum are to:
- Facilitate risk reduction and the sound management of chemicals across the APEC region and as an APEC contribution to broader SAICM implementation;
- Share information and knowledge on chemicals management more broadly in the region with the increased and direct involvement of regulators;
- Bridge principles and practice - sharing tools and experience with best practices and plan opportunities for collaboration to address common concerns; and
- Discuss the nexus between chemicals management and competitiveness (including for small and medium enterprises), with a view to facilitating trade while protecting human health and the environment.
The CD Regulators’ Forum was held back to back with the CD meeting in Washington DC, the United States in March 2011. The next CD Regulators’ Forum is scheduled to be held in Singapore in March 2012.
In May 2011, APEC Trade Ministers in Big Sky, Montana welcomed the continued active commitment to regulatory cooperation for chemicals through a strategic framework that contributes to regional economic integration and regulatory convergence priorities, including progressing the UN’s GHS. Work on implementing the Strategic Framework for Chemical in the Asia-Pacific Region is currently underway. In its recent meeting in Moscow, Russia, the CD revised the Strategic Framework. The revised/added work includes the following:
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To establish multi-party virtual working group to develop concept note on conducting Chemical Management Best Practice Seminar;
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To involve participation of the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) in the CD meeting in 2012;
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To establish virtual working group to develop case studies for GHS implementation for consumer products;
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To explore options to refine reporting template to be placed on G.R.E.A.T. website;
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To draft concept note for industry workshop and the CD regulators’ forum and training workshop; and
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To encourage member economies to provide case studies for use in Rio+20 and SAICM
The CD continues to discuss ways to contribute to APEC's overarching goals of trade liberalization and business facilitation.
The 10th Chemical Dialogue (CD) meeting was held in San Francisco, California in September 2011. The meeting focused on the activities of the APEC Chemical Strategic Framework for 2011-2013. The three shared goals of the framework are as follow:
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Shared Goal 1: Expand and support cooperation and mutual recognition among chemical regulators in the region to facilitate trade
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Shared Goal 2: Enhance understanding of the chemical industry’s role as an innovative solutions industry
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Shared Goal 3: Encourage chemical product stewardship, safe use and sustainability
This framework was developed to guide a program of work to achieve the CD’s broader objectives and to help position the chemical industry as a strategic contributor to the economy, sustainable innovation and trade in the region.
The 10th CD meeting follows the CD Steering Group meeting that was held earlier in March 2011in Washington DC. Participants agreed that the CD’s work plan reflected the 2011 APEC priorities of strengthening regional economic integration and expanding trade; promoting green growth; and advancing regulatory cooperation and convergence. The meeting was also attended by a broad range of private sector representatives, including downstream users of chemicals in sectors where new chemical regulations may have a commercial impact. Discussions centered on activities under the Strategic Framework.
Recent CD projects completed and/or underway include:
Participants welcomed the tool prepared by the Consumer Products Working Group that outlined the core principles for industry to use for GHS implementation in this sector. Economies were strongly encouraged to complete the GHS implementation template and to also provide information and data to Chinese Taipei for posting on the GHS Reference Exchange and Tool (G.R.E.A.T.) website.
In cooperation with the Japan Soap and Detergent Association, the CD is currently undertaking a project titled "GHS Implementation for Consumer Products". The goal is to develop guidelines for the implementation of the GHS in the consumer products sector. The guidelines are intended to be used as a reference tool and to help promote mutual understanding on GHS implementation for various consumer products in APEC economies. It is anticipated that this will ultimately benefit a range of stakeholders including consumers, government officials, industries, and trade-associations.
Responding to the needs of industry, the CD has launched the G.R.E.A.T. clearinghouse website that collects and provides GHS standardized labeling elements in local languages. Authorities and the chemical industry will be able to find translations of labeling terms for hazard communication and international trade purposes. Industry and interested users will also be able to search elements on the website and prepare their own labeling in different local languages.
A workshop on "Good Regulatory Practices for Chemical Regulation" took place in February 2010 in Hiroshima, Japan. The aim of this workshop was to foster the exchange and uptake of good regulatory practices in industrial chemicals management in the region, promote enhanced economic and environmental sustainability, and facilitate transparent, science-based processes.
As a follow-up to the previous workshop in 2010, another CD Regulators’ Forum was held in March 2011 in Washington, DC, the United States. During the seminar, participants discussed the link between good regulatory practices on the chemicals sector and economic development. In addition, participants had in-depth discussions on chemical inventories, a specific regulatory tool for the sound management of chemicals. Participants also brainstormed ideas on needs and priorities for future regulators’ forum meetings, seminars and possible project proposals.
The CD Planning Group meeting was held in Moscow, Russia in February 2012. During the meeting, the CD members agreed to revise the CD Strategic Plan.
Two CD projects had been approved for funding in 2012. They are: (1) ”Regulatory Cooperation – Introductory Level Training in Risk Assessment and Risk Management to Provide Tools for the Development of Sound Chemical Regulations” proposed by U.S.; and (2) “The Conference on Concept of Data Exchange on Chemical Products and Chemical Substances Hazardous Properties” proposed by Russia.
Dr Fumiaki SHONO (Mr)
Co-Chair
Japan Chemical Industry Association
Executive Director
Senior General Manager/Chemical Management Dept.
Secretary General REACH Task Force
Tel: +81-3-3297-2567
Fax: +81-3-3297-2612
Email:
Barbara NORTON (Ms)
Acting Co-Chair
Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative
Office of Market Access and Industrial Competitiveness
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Executive Office of the President
600 17th ST., NW
Washington, DC 20508
Tel: +1 202 395 6061
Fax: +1 202 395 9674
Email:
Barbara NORTON (Ms)
Chemical Dialogue Steering Group Chair
Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative
Office of Market Access and Industrial Competitiveness
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Executive Office of the President
600 17th ST., NW
Washington, DC 20508
Tel: +1 202 395 6061
Fax: +1 202 395 9674
Email:
Steve CHEN (Mr)
Program Director
APEC Secretariat
Email: