1. Southeast Asia Public Interest and Labour (PILOs) Network for Chemical Safety and GHS Implementation Outcome of workshop on GHS Capacity building for Southeast Asia PILOs (7 th May – 8 th May 2007, Jakarta).

2. Background The call for the workshop in Jakarta:  Emanated from the Regional Workshop on Chemical Hazard Communication and GHS Implementation for Countries of Southeast Asia in Manila -2005.  Participants strongly recommended: Survey – level of understanding of GHS, awareness and related activities among CSOs Organise – CS workshop – PILOs network for Chemical Management and GHS implementation.

3. Background Survey conducted – general findings:  PILOs are highly varied in form and substances  They require capacity building  Have strong interest in GHS Implementation  Keen on participating in the PILO Network Conclusion of the study:  The PILO Network must address problems of low awareness  Multi-sectoral and employ multi-disciplinary approach

4. The GHS Capacity Building Workshop for PILOs of the Southeast Asia Region (7-8 May, 2007) Organised by UNITAR, ILO, Earth Council Asia Pacific (report), with the support of EU and the Swiss Government) Participants from: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.  Comprising : CSO related to labour, consumers, environment, academia, media and government.

5. Outcome of the PILOs Capacity Building Workshop The participants collectively agreed that a network of public interest and labour organisations (or PILOs) is important to:  Harness each others area of expertise in raising awareness among different target groups  Enhances coordination – avoid duplication in some areas  Builds synergy – among regional PILOs; between national and regional PILOs  Enhances awareness and understanding of Chemical Management and GHS Implementation among the people in the region (currently low)  Improve technical and financial capabilities – better access and mgt.

6. Outcome of the PILOs Capacity Building Workshop The participants agreed on:  Important role of PILOs (already being carried out in their respective region) in raising awareness on CMS and GHS Ability to socialise – popularise importance of GHS implementation  Very important cooperation between government, PILOs and private organisations in successful GHS implementation thus all stakeholders must be represented in the NATIONAL and REGIONAL (particularly Southeast Asia) COMMITTEE working on GHS Implementation

7. Outcome of the PILOs Capacity Building Workshop Name of the Southeast Asia PILOs network on chemical management and GHS implementation  SEApChemNet - SOUTHEAST ASIA PUBLIC INTEREST & LABOR ORGANIZATION CHEMICAL NETWORK Scope –  overall - chemical safety management (CMS) with  focus on GHS implementation at the regional, national level and local level.

8. SEApChemNet – SOUTHEAST ASIA PUBLIC INTEREST & LABOR ORGANIZATION CHEMICAL NETWORK Vision -  Southeast Asia community protected from the adverse effects of chemicals to human health and the environment. Overall objectives:  “To facilitate and enhance the implementation of chemical-related safety initiatives and GHS so that stakeholders, the people of Southeast Asia and the environment are protected from the hazards posed by chemicals.”

9. SEApChemNet – SOUTHEAST ASIA PUBLIC INTEREST & LABOR ORGANIZATION CHEMICAL NETWORK Some of the roles and functions :  Maintain an integrated knowledge management  Build a new generation that is aware – impt of GHS  Monitor & evaluate the implementation of GHS – feedback  Coordinate programmes & activities – awareness; capacity building  Cooperate with government and business – synergy – participate at policy level or NCC – influence policies  Project development and implementation

10. SEApChemNet – SOUTHEAST ASIA PUBLIC INTEREST & LABOR ORGANIZATION CHEMICAL NETWORK Members: environment groups, unions, workers, women’s groups, farmers, peoples orgs; consumer orgs, media, academe, local government, religious groups. Organisation structure : led by a Chair  SEA member countries focal points and a secretariat Interim steering committee – to finalise administrative and networking issues.

11. SEApChemNet – SOUTHEAST ASIA PUBLIC INTEREST & LABOR ORGANIZATION CHEMICAL NETWORK Interim Steering committee activities :  Weblink hosted by FOMCA (the interim lead convenor – Ratna Devi Nadarajan) - www.fomca.org.my/SEApChemNet; www.fomca.org.my/SEApChemNet e-mail address fomca@fomca.org.myfomca@fomca.org.my Further develop and maintain a dedicated website  reports; resource materials; case studies from members for dissemination, info on raising awareness etc  Capacity Building Training for local and regional PILOs (resource persons sourced locally, regionally and UN, ILO, ASEAN secretariat etc.  Access / participate in the NCC on GHS

12. SEApChemNet – SOUTHEAST ASIA PUBLIC INTEREST & LABOR ORGANIZATION CHEMICAL NETWORK Current steering committee made up of (will be expanded):  CEDAC, Cambodia  FOMCA, Malaysia  Association of Stevedoring, Indonesia  EARTH COUNCIL, Philippines  TEI, Thailand  VACNE, Vietnam

13. Thank you.