1. Challenges of GHS Implementation in Malaysia Lack of expertise – require competent classifier and translator. Government: to step up commitment and coordination. Industry: enhance awareness and buy-in, esp. SMEs. NGOs: mixed, several are proactive, the rest are quiet. Researchers and academia: must support, capacity building. Public/consumers: awareness raising. Good information databases etc. Training programmes: trainers’ commitments lacking. Lack of expertise – require competent classifier and translator. Government: to step up commitment and coordination. Industry: enhance awareness and buy-in, esp. SMEs. NGOs: mixed, several are proactive, the rest are quiet. Researchers and academia: must support, capacity building. Public/consumers: awareness raising. Good information databases etc. Training programmes: trainers’ commitments lacking. To leverage on the existing infrastructures and systems, and the strengths. ASEAN: share experiences, knowledge and information, e.g. pool resources (human and financial). How to tie GHS and New Economic Model (NEM): high income (Oil and Gas), sustainability and inclusiveness. How to convince different levels of stakeholders, and how to ‘market’ GHS. How to synergize GHS with other initiatives relating to chemicals management (EHS, Multilateral Environmental Agreements, MEAs) To leverage on the existing infrastructures and systems, and the strengths. ASEAN: share experiences, knowledge and information, e.g. pool resources (human and financial). How to tie GHS and New Economic Model (NEM): high income (Oil and Gas), sustainability and inclusiveness. How to convince different levels of stakeholders, and how to ‘market’ GHS. How to synergize GHS with other initiatives relating to chemicals management (EHS, Multilateral Environmental Agreements, MEAs)

2. Lessons learned from this experience Government: GHS is anticipated to be beneficial to the country (Malaysia competitiveness in trade and human well being and environmental health). Be innovative and creative with limited resources. Bringing different stakeholders together (government, industry, NGOs and academia). Some countries and organizations are generous in giving supports (e.g. AOTS, UNITAR, WHO, APEC etc). The civil society demands the authority and private sector to implement GHS as soon as possible to protect human health and the environment (e.g. CAP). Translated version of purple book has enhanced understanding of GHS. We are confident that we can go further and also to complement other ASEAN member countries. We have learned that GHS implementation is complex, which need high commitments and preparedness to take long journey, and we must ensure continuity and sustainability. Government: GHS is anticipated to be beneficial to the country (Malaysia competitiveness in trade and human well being and environmental health). Be innovative and creative with limited resources. Bringing different stakeholders together (government, industry, NGOs and academia). Some countries and organizations are generous in giving supports (e.g. AOTS, UNITAR, WHO, APEC etc). The civil society demands the authority and private sector to implement GHS as soon as possible to protect human health and the environment (e.g. CAP). Translated version of purple book has enhanced understanding of GHS. We are confident that we can go further and also to complement other ASEAN member countries. We have learned that GHS implementation is complex, which need high commitments and preparedness to take long journey, and we must ensure continuity and sustainability.

3. Key Future Issues for GHS implementation for Malaysia Different Government authorities are governed by different legislations and international guidelines in the control of chemical substances i.e. industrial chemicals, pesticides, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Different sectors will be having different timeline for GHS implementation. Different levels of understanding of GHS (competent, aware but not fully understand the technical details OR aware but take it lightly OR totally unaware). Attitude problem by the industry - without new legislation / regulation enforced, no commitment to change or to be in the know on the developments, especially the SMEs. Different Government authorities are governed by different legislations and international guidelines in the control of chemical substances i.e. industrial chemicals, pesticides, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Different sectors will be having different timeline for GHS implementation. Different levels of understanding of GHS (competent, aware but not fully understand the technical details OR aware but take it lightly OR totally unaware). Attitude problem by the industry - without new legislation / regulation enforced, no commitment to change or to be in the know on the developments, especially the SMEs. Continuity, institutional memory, and succession plans. Linkages of GHS with other initiatives and must contextualize appropriately. The request and demand of private sector is for the government of Malaysia to subsidize everything about GHS. Communication (databases and website) How to utilize modern media for information dissemination and enhancement. GHS must be a private driven initiative to get commitment and ownership. Continuity, institutional memory, and succession plans. Linkages of GHS with other initiatives and must contextualize appropriately. The request and demand of private sector is for the government of Malaysia to subsidize everything about GHS. Communication (databases and website) How to utilize modern media for information dissemination and enhancement. GHS must be a private driven initiative to get commitment and ownership.