1. NATIONAL SAICM IMPLEMENTATION: DEVELOPING A GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK Gillian Guthrie Ministry of Local Government and Environment June 19, 2006 THE CASE OF JAMAICA

2.  The formal adoption of SAICM has raised the profile of chemicals and hazardous wastes management issues at all levels: local, national, sub-regional, regional and international.  SAICM has facilitated an integrated, multi-sectoral, cross-sectoral and participatory approach to chemicals management. SAICM: So What?

3.  SAICM implementation will allow for the protection of the environment and most vulnerable within our societies from the adverse impacts of chemicals  SAICM promotes the sound management of chemicals throughout the product life cycle: ‘cradle-to-grave’ and ‘cradle-to-cradle’

4. Jamaica’s Integrated National Programme (INP) for Chemicals and Hazardous Wastes Management In seeking to fulfill the objectives outlined in the OPS of SAICM, Jamaica has developed the Integrated National Programme (INP) for the Sound Management of Chemicals and Hazardous Wastes in Jamaica (2005 – 2010). The development of the INP included: 1.National Priority Setting Exercise 2.Identification of national priority chemicals and hazardous wastes management areas of focus 3.Establishment of an inter-agency coordination mechanism (IACM) and an information exchange mechanism 4.Mechanisms for the sustainable financing of the INP

5. INP: National Information Exchange Mechanism Priority Areas for National ActionBanned or Restricted ChemicalsNational Chemical ProfileConsumer & Household Legislative FrameworkStakeholdersAbout UsHome In relation to SAICM implementation, the main national information exchange mechanisms are: - Inter-Agency Coordination Mechanism - National chemical safety website (www.chemicalsafety.gov.jm) - National Chemicals Profile

6. INP: Priority Areas Five (5) Priority Areas identified for attention under the INP were: Chemical Wastes Disposal (Ministry of Land and Environment) Comprehensive Chemicals Legislation (Ministry of Health) Import/Export Control (Jamaica Customs Department) Integrated Emergency Response Mechanism (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management), and Risk Management Procedures (Ministry of Health)

7. Inter-Agency Coordination Mechanism (IACM) IACM comprises: - Members (key ministries and agencies directly responsible for chemicals and/or hazardous wastes management) - Associate Members, and - Secretariat The IACM reports to the Natural Resources Committee of Cabinet.

8. Some responsibilities of the IACM: - identify and recommend national chemical management priorities for cooperative action - review legislative and institutional frameworks governing chemicals and hazardous waste management and make recommendations to address deficiencies and duplication - coordinate national negotiating positions in respect of regional and international agreements - identify emerging policy issues and recommend strategies to address these issues - recommend sustainable financing mechanisms for the implementation of the INP

9. - assess capacity building and technical cooperation needs and recommend appropriate strategies to address these - promote public and sector-specific education and awareness programmes Some responsibilities of the IACM:

10. SAICM: Some Opportunities  To establish an integrated and coordinated governance framework to address chemicals issues  Infuse chemicals and hazardous wastes issues into national sustainable development and poverty reduction strategies.  Establishment of partnerships at all levels (sharing of resources, experiences and expertise)  Through the QSP of SAICM, SIDs are one of the groups recognized for technical and financial support to assist in the implementation of the ‘enabling phase’ of SAICM.  Promotion of chemical safety issues

11.  Access to relevant scientific and technical information  Include the SAICM Implementation as programme area for focus of the CARICOM Secretariat SAICM: Some Opportunities

12. SAICM: Major Challenges: - sustainable financing mechanisms (cost internalization) - strengthening institutional and regulatory frameworks (responsive to emerging policy issues) - monitoring and enforcement capacity - expansion of the governance framework to include issues related to liability and compensation - technical assistance for SMEs and the informal sector to assist in restructuring and re-structuring (adoption of relevant international standards and codes of practice) - public and sector-specific education and awareness (promotion of SAICM implementation at the community level)