Awareness Raising, Draft Guidanceand Pilot Projects

Rob VisserUNITAR Senior Advisor

Nano LAC Regional MeetingMay/June 2011, Panama

Mandates for the Series of Workshops

• ICCM-2 (May, 2009)

Resolution II/4 of ICCM-2

Endorsement of Nanotechnology/Manufactured Nanomaterials as an

“Emerging Issue” for the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals

Management (SAICM) “[ICCM-2]…encourages Governments and other

stakeholders to assist developing countries and countries with economies in

transition to enhance their capacity to use and manage nanotechnologies

and manufactured nanomaterials responsibly, to maximize potential benefits

and to minimize potential risks”

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UNITAR/OECD Workshop Schedule

• Asia-Pacific Region (Beijing, China) on 27 November 2009;

• Central and Eastern European Region (Lodz, Poland) on 11 December 2009;

• Africa Region (Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire) from 25-26 January 2010; and

• Latin America-Caribbean Region (Kingston, Jamaica) on 12 March, 2010.

An additional, sub-regional meeting was also held for Arab Region countries from 11-13 April, 2010 in Alexandria, Egypt.

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Workshop Participation

Over 250 individuals attended from: some 108 countries that were represented from within the regions; 19 observer countries; 41 non-governmental organizations and 9 international organizations

This included:

• 32 individuals from 23 countries for the Asia-Pacific Workshop;

• 19 individuals from 15 countries for the CEE Workshop;

• 41 individuals from 34 countries for the Africa Workshop;

• 29 individuals from 21 countries for the Latin America-Caribbean Workshop

• 24 individuals from 15 countries for the Arab Workshop

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Original Workshop Objectives

To inform national experts on nano within governments and other key representatives of governments and stakeholders in the UN regions with developing and transition countries about potential applications for (benefits) and risks from nano

To apply the information gained, above, on a technical level, to enable political decision-making feeding into ICCM-3

Focus: general chemicals management professionals that have to address nano issues as part of their work

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The Workshops

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Outcomes of the Workshops

Increased understanding of the participants of the implications of nano for their daily work as general chemicals management specialists in their countries;

Inputs received from participants on their anticipated country needs in order to be able to address nano as part of a sustainable general programme for the sound management of chemicals at the national level;

Understanding of the requirements of ICCM-3 for reporting on nano-related activities to protect human health and the environment in countries and among stakeholders; and,

Understanding of the outcomes of ICCM-2 as a first step towards deliberations for “furthering the nano agenda” at ICCM-3

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Observations

Resolutions developed at Africa and Latin America/Caribbean workshop;

Unanimous recommendations (from each workshop) for another round of workshops pre-OEWG/ICCM-3 with focus on preliminary outcomes of pilots and ICCM-3 preparations;

“Excellent” overall ratings from workshop participants in workshop evaluation forms; usually near-unanimity

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Next steps

The development of guidance and training materials/methodologies for national pilot projects on incorporating nano as part of a sustainable general programme for the sound management of chemicals (initial results of the pilots will be presented by participating countries at ICCM-3);

The undertaking of a planned second round of nano workshops for UN developing and transition country regions in advance of ICCM-3

The development of networks of chemicals management experts interested in and/or assigned to address nano issues in developed, transition and developing countries;

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Next steps (cont’d)

The development of inputs (e.g. resolutions, INF documents, formal reporting and further identifications of country needs) for a meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG), to be held in Belgrade, Serbia, in August, 2011, and ICCM-3 in Geneva (May or June 2012);

Beyond ICCM-3, the further development of capacities and capabilities in countries and at the national, regional and international levels to address nano issues.

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Elements of a National Nano Policy (4 Steps Procedure)

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Step 1• Identification of ministries and other stakeholders (industry, NGOs), working groups, coordinating mechanism

Step 2

• Developing a nano national implementation plan (NANO policy) with:

•Common communication strategy, public dialogue • Research• Voluntary measures• Occupational health at the workplace• Risk management on human health and environment• Economic and social impact, ethical issues

Step 3• Stepwise implementation of the NANO policy by training and learning

Step 4• Periodic reporting and amending of the NANO policy

Outline of Draft Guidance

Background Priority setting National committee National Profile Chapter Awareness raising Training National nano programme

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Background

Working definition of “Nano” Applications of Nano – some examples Environmental and Health concerns Research and Development Nano EHS as part of a programme for the

sound management of chemicals Relevant international work Nano and the GHS Relevant global resolutions

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Priority-Setting for Nano

Criteria for Priority Setting:

Feasibility Time frame Stakeholder commitment Potential for support Economic impact Assessment

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Practical aspects of prioritization

Watching out for actions that are very broad (break them down to more tangible activities) or very small (amalgamate into sufficiently large activities)

Screening to eliminate the large majority of items. This could be within the same category, going through all categories, or even prioritising many items across categories. A few criteria would be used such as likelihood of getting resources likelihood of getting results within 1 to 5 years potential to improve governance potential to reduce concerns of the public or politicians

Priority-Setting for Nano (cont’d)

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Examples of criteria for impact:

Compatibility with general policies Potential to reduce threats to health and

environment Potential to improve knowledge about such threats Potential to reduce inequality within the population Potential to reduce political or other concerns

Priority-Setting for Nano (cont’d)

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Examples of criteria for feasibility:

Compatibility with national long term policies Compatibility with other national priorities Potential to obtain information for the relevant decisions Availability of alternatives Availability of resources: human, technical, financial Availability of existing projects that can be coordinated with the

action Availability of an organisation that is willing to take the lead Possibility of synergies with other actions Compatibility with international requirements Cost efficiency (for instance the existence of “low hanging

fruits”)

Priority-Setting for Nano (cont’d)

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Preparatory Considerations and National Committee for nano

Secretariat and Lead Agency selection Workplan development Planning for an inception workshop Set up of national committee:

both internal (within government) and external TORs developed and approved for committee Activities begin!

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Updating/Developing National Profile with a Nano Chapter

1. Introduction

2. National Background Information

3. Status of Research and Development Activities (e.g. materials development, risk research) on Manufactured Nanomaterials (“Nano”)

4. Governance-Current Structure for Management of Nano

(e.g. materials development and risk research)

5. Positive and Sustainable Impacts (Benefits) of Nano

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Updating/Developing National Profile with a Nano Chapter (cont’d)

6. Activities on Management of Risks Related to Nano

7. Stakeholders and Nano Risk Management

8. Internationally Available Information on Nano and Regional Needs

9. Resources Available and Needed for Nano Risk Management

10. Conclusions and Recommendation

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Development of a National Nano Policy

Integrated approach and co-ordination: SAICM and Conventions

Mainstreaming into development planning Cover full life cycle Ministries involved, e.g. science and technology, trade,

health, environment, labour, agriculture, industry, transport, customs, etc. + as appropriate foreign affairs, justice and planning

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Awareness Raising Among Key Groups

Target Groups: High-level decision-makers The public Civil Society SMEs/Importers/Trade Associations Others?

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Targeted Training for Professionals and Workers

Identified groups: Customs training Training of industrial hygienists Training of workers Training of environment and health

specialists Others?

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The National Nano Programme

National Programme can comprise:

Priority activities to build/strengthen capacities Linkages to other areas of/tools for sound chemicals

management (e.g. GHS, National Profile, SAICM Implementation Plan)

National Policy is at the “core” of the programme Nano Committee directs and guides the programme Main focus is environmental/health protection with regard to

both risks and applications (promotion of applications) Reflects agreed nano priorities Is updated regularly

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International Aspects

Sharing Lessons Learned Examples of National Experiences International Declarations Resolutions

IFCS SAICM ICCM-3 report

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Project Overview Diagram

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ICCM3Side-event

Thank you!

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www.unitar.org/cwm/nano

nano@unitar.org