A.Karim H. Rashed SAICM, Project Technical Manager Head, Recycling & Treatment Unit Kingdom of Bahrain Supreme Council for Environment 10 June 2013 Dubai, UAE

Evolution of the global chemicals agenda

The proposed project aims to enable Bahrain in preparation of its implementation of SAICM. In particular, the project supports the first and second strategic priorities of the QSP “Development or updating of national chemical profiles and the identification of capacity needs for sound chemicals management” and “Development and strengthening of national chemicals management institutions, plans, programmes and activities to implement the Strategic Approach, building upon work conducted to implement international chemicals-related agreements and initiatives”.

The identified objectives and the related activities, which have been developed based on the main objectives of the QSP, SAICM, Programme Area E of Chapter 19 of Agenda 21 are: 1.Strengthening inter-agency coordination and information availability and exchange regarding chemicals management. 2.Developing a sound institutional and legislative programmatic national framework. 3.Undertaking enabling activities for the implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of chemicals (GHS). 4.Strengthening education and awareness raising, including training and information dissemination among all relevant government authorities, industry, workers, non-governmental organizations and the public for sound national chemicals management.

Bahrain faces challenges in dealing with chemicals and waste management, which can be clearly summarized as following: The problem of having industrial and chemicals storage nearby and potentially interfering with residential areas is leading to potential risks to the public and the surrounding environment. The absence of adequate facilities for treatment of hazardous liquid chemical wastes in Bahrain is an obstacle which impedes the proper management process of chemical wastes. The storage and transportation of hazardous chemical wastes in urban areas also create serious problems including potential for leakages, chances of spillages and occurrence of other related major and minor disasters, the risks of which have not yet been properly assessed and evaluated. The harsh weather during Bahrain’s long summers makes the storage of chemicals either costly (since this needs special storehouses) or becomes risky. The discharge of industrial effluents into the marine environment, and the possibility of accidents that might lead to the spillage of chemicals into the marine environment during importation of chemicals, is creating an impact to human health and the environment, especially the country is becoming increasingly dependent on desalination of marine water for public use.

Nationally existing synergies thus far are not broad enough to cover all chemicals management issues and cooperation has been lacking in many cases. There is a lack of unified classification and proper labeling of chemicals, with insufficient clarity related to the chemical composition of many imported chemicals, raw materials and products and therefore there is an urgent need to build the national infrastructure and capacities for GHS implementation. The National Chemical Profile requires updating (Second edition updated is done). Import controls for chemicals need strengthening and there is no regional coordination or exchange of information. The national chemicals database is poor and there is no poison control center neither in the country nor in the region. There are no inventories for most of the hazardous chemicals (Stockholm Convention…..). There is a lack of an appropriate referral system that can help in correlating the health and environmental effects of the exposure to the chemical hazards and related pollution.

There is a need for raising awareness among the public and hazardous chemicals users. No training centers exist nationally or regionally for cleaner production and application of best available techniques and best environmental practices (BAT/BEP). There is a shortage of technical and trained manpower and equipment to control and monitor the chemical risks and hazards, with a lack of analytical facilities for the monitoring of POPs (nationally or regionally). Therefore strengthening of the capabilities and capacities is urgently needed to safely deal with the above challenges to establish a practical, integrated and sustainable chemicals and waste management system in the country.

Based on national priorities and drawing on the activities listed in the SAICM Global Plan of Action (GPA), the following are selected to achieve the above mentioned objectives: 1.Establishing a cross-sectoral Interagency Coordinating Mechanism/Steering Committee. 2.Updating the National Chemicals Management Profile. 3.Preparing a National SAICM Capacity Assessment. 4.Undertaking national SAICM priority setting. 5.Developing and strengthening national legislation and policies for the sound management of chemicals. 6.Undertaking enabling activities for the implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). 7.Establishing and promoting education and training programmes for scientific and technical training of personnel.

1.Strengthened inter-agency cooperation. 2.Strengthened national coordination to ensure ongoing dialogue on chemicals safety/management involving all concerned parties and sectors. 3.Strong and well established mechanisms that coordinate among all national stakeholders for better management of hazardous chemicals and waste. 4.Formalization of, or strengthening of existing, national chemicals management bodies and a network of contact points. 5.Strengthened national capacities and capabilities in both public and private sectors on the sound management of chemicals. 6.An updated National Profile for the sound management of hazardous chemicals and wastes (done). 7.A National SAICM Capacity Assessment.

8.Agreed SAICM-related priorities for implementation. 9.Strengthened national legislation and policies for the sound management of chemicals (including a comprehensive review of current legislation including enforcement) related to sound chemicals management in the country. 10.Utilization and preliminary steps towards the implementation of the Globally Harmonized Systems (GHS), and safe handling methods that focus on improved transport and storage facilities to suit the geographical and climatic conditions of the country. 11.Environmental education materials focusing on chemicals management for stakeholders including inter alia, NGO's, youth and women clubs. 12.Raised awareness and exchange information among government ministries and stakeholders (including NGOs) concerned with the sound management of chemicals and SAICM. 13.Strengthened capacity to effectively establish green customs to control illegal traffic of toxic and dangerous chemicals and wastes. 14.A publicly-accessible information portal on GHS in Bahrain

The overall outcome expected of this project is the establishment of a solid foundation for the efficient launching SAICM implementation in Bahrain through the integration of the sound management of chemicals capacity within ministries and agencies involved in various aspects of the chemicals lifecycle.

Government ministries and agencies Private Industry Organized Labor Public interest non-governmental organizations Academia