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Chemical Dialogue |
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 public-private sector forum for finding solutions to challenges facing the chemical industry in the Asia-Pacific region. The CD reflects APEC members' recognition of the importance of engaging with the private sector and building public-private sector dialogue and cooperation for mutual benefit.
The CD provides opportunities for regulatory officials and industry representatives to discuss trade and economic challenges facing the chemical industry and users of chemicals. 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 programs which ensure that regulatory, safety, and environmental goals can be implemented by both governments and business.
Achievements
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 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" document and the GHS Virtual Working Group report to the second session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM2) 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.
Current Activities
The CD continues to discuss ways to contribute to APEC's overarching goals of trade liberalisation and business facilitation.
The CD Steering Group (CDSG) met in Singapore on 21 February 2009 to develop the work plan for the 8th Chemical Dialogue meeting which will take place in Singapore on 1 August 2009. The CDSG meeting was preceded by a Regulators' Forum and an Industry pre-meeting, and a similar pre-meeting will take place on the eve of the CD meeting.
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. These model measures should become a reference tool and 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, governmental officials, industries, and trade-associations.
Responding to the needs of industry, the CD is commencing a project to develop a clearinghouse website that will collect and provide GHS standardised labelling elements in local languages. Authorities and the chemical industry will be able to find translations of labelling 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 labelling in different local languages.
A workshop on Good Regulatory Practices for Chemical Regulation is planned to take place in early 2010. This workshop, intended to foster the exchange and uptake of good regulatory practices in industrial chemicals management in the region, should promote enhanced economic and environmental sustainability and facilitate transparent, science-based processes.
Chemical Regulatory Websites in Member Economies
The Chemical Dialogue has compiled a comprehensive set of links to chemical regulatory websites in APEC Member Economies. To access these links, simply click on the drop down menu below.
Chemical Dialogue - Key Contacts
Co-Chair of the Chemical Dialogue
Datuk Mohamed Al-Amin B. HJ Abdul Majid JP
Director
Ancom Berhad
1002 Block A, Pusat Dagangan Phileo Damansara 1
No 9, Jalan 16/11, Off Jalan Damansara
46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan
Malaysia
Tel: (60-3) 7660 0008, (60-3) 7955 0212
Fax: (60-3) 7660 0010
E-mail: daa@ancom.com.my
Chair of the Chemical Dialogue Steering Group and Acting Co-Chair of the Chemical Dialogue
Ms Barbara Norton
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
E-mail: Barbara_Norton@USTR.EOP.GOV
APEC Secretariat
Ms. Natalie Nii
Director (Program)
E-mail: njn@apec.org
Reviewed on: 1 July 2009