Documentation ARC

22
BE SAFE WITH CHEMICALS READ THE LABEL Awareness Raising Initiative Best Practises & Lessons Learned SERBIAN CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT SR08IBEN02

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Page 1: Documentation ARC

BE SAFE WITH CHEMICALS – READ THE LABEL

Awareness Raising Initiative

Best Practises & Lessons Learned

SERBIAN CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT

SR08IBEN02

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Idea & Concept: Environment Agency Austria and SHemA (Serbian Chemicals Agency)

Author: Keya Choudhury, Short Term Expert

Any websites referred to in this publication are in the public domain and their addresses are provided

by SHemA for information only.

The booklet has been realised within the Twinning Project SR08IBEN02 „Assistance in the

Implementation of a Chemicals Management System in Serbia“

(“Serbian Chemicals Management”).

The project has been funded by the European Union.

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Table of Contents

1 Background, Basic Idea & Objective ................................................................ 4

2 Approach ............................................................................................................ 5

3 Pre-Announcement, Positioning & Messages of the Campaign .................... 6

4 Planning & Organisation ................................................................................... 8

5 Connecting with Target Groups...................................................................... 10

6 Marketing and Public Relation ........................................................................ 15

7 Outreach of the Campaign .............................................................................. 17

8 Annex – Campaign Description ...................................................................... 18

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1 Background, Basic Idea & Objective

Serbia introduced the European system for the classification, labelling and packaging of

Chemicals (CLP) as of 1st October 2011 with the Law on Chemicals. This system consists

on the implementation of the UN based Globally Harmonised System (GHS) and for a

transition period on the previous EU provisions (DSD/DPD). Thus, Serbia aligns with

European and international standards in chemical safety.

The new legislation foresees, among other provisions, that new warning labels and safety

information has to appear on chemicals including also various household products (see

Chart 1). Paying attention to the labels and the safety information may prevent from health

damages and even save lives.

Chart 1: Labelling of Chemicals: e.g. Orange Symbol and GHS Pictogram for Flammables

Due to the lack of awareness of chemicals risks and hazards and the improper use of

chemicals there has been notified a significant number of accidents caused by chemicals in

Serbia. According to data of the Poison Control Centre of the Military Medical Academy

Belgrade (VMA) a great amount of poisonings in Serbia has been caused by chemicals, in

particular corrosives and pesticides.

In order to increase the consumers’ awareness and knowledge related to risks and hazards

of chemicals, the Serbian Chemicals Agency (SHemA) in the frame of the Twinning project

“Serbian Chemicals Management” funded by the EU took the initiative and launched an

awareness arising campaign “BE SAFE WITH CHEMICALS – READ THE LABEL” in April

2012.

Throughout the course of the campaign seminars, presentations and trainings were

organised, along with the distribution of educational and information material customised to

the requirements of the selected target groups: consumers, professors, pupils and

professional users, who are in daily contact with chemicals that can damage their health and

the environment.

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2 Approach

The awareness raising campaign “BE SAFE WITH CHEMICALS – READ THE LABEL” has

been developed in four phases: Pre-announcement, positioning and development of the

campaign key message with planning and organisation, connection with the selected target

groups and final evaluation after performance of the campaign (see

Chart 2). Accompanying measures of marketing and public relation have been performed

throughout the campaign.

Chart 2: Phases of the Awareness Raising Campaign

The four phases as well as the continuous marketing and public relation activities will be

explained in detail in the following chapters.

Pre-

Announcement,

positioning &

message of the

campaign

Planning and

organisation

Connecting

with target

groups

Evaluation

Marketing & Public Relation

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3 Pre-Announcement, Positioning & Messages of the Campaign

At the end of October 2011, two stakeholder events organised under the Twinning project

"Serbian Chemicals Management" funded by the EU announced the planned awareness

raising campaign. This approach opened the opportunity to directly contact and interview

stakeholders and potential target groups. Thus, relevant stakeholders could be directly

involved from the very beginning of the set-up of the campaign.

Picture 1: Announcement of Awareness Raising Campaign at Stakeholder Event

The campaign design started with some internal brainstorming sessions concerning the

definition of the target group and of the key message of the campaign. Several potential

topics and measures have been identified and reconsidered. Finally, it has been decided that

the campaign should focus on labelling. This decision has been backed up by the new

legislation on classification and labelling which was getting into force in October 2011.

Together with the Serbian partners the following target groups were selected:

Pupils and professors of secondary schools

Consumer protection associations

Staff responsible for health and work safety

Consumers in general were addressed indirectly by the activities mentioned above.

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The key message of the campaign could be summed up to:

BE SAFE WITH CHEMICALS – READ THE LABEL.

In the further design of the campaign the activities were structured according to the needs of

each target group. The underlying messages of the performed activities addressing different

target groups were as follows:

For students and professors

o Read and understand the label on products you deal with, whether in

households or in the laboratories.

o Handle chemicals with care and consciousness and you and others will be

safe.

o Be an ambassador of chemical safety and share your knowledge.

For consumer protection agencies

o Consumer protection agencies have a role to play in informing consumers

about chemical safety.

o Messages have to be customised according to the group that is targeted.

o Consumer protection agencies will have a large outreach.

For staff responsible for health and work safety

o Knowing exactly how to handle and store chemicals will reduce accidents at

the workplace.

o Health and work safety persons responsible will be multipliers of chemical

safety.

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4 Planning & Organisation

Duration

It has been confirmed that the visible part of the campaign will last around 8-10 weeks with

the core visible phase from April to June 2012. The campaign was officially launched on 5th

April 2012 linked to a training activity on labelling of chemicals for pupils and professors and

ended on 13th June 2012 tied up with a workshop for consumer protection associations.

Elements of the campaign

The Serbian Chemicals Agency designed a campaign including the following elements:

Informative material for different target groups, which was distributed via the campaign

website or as print copies (flyer, poster, educational material & games).

Workshops and seminars for different target groups to practically offer guidance on

chemicals safety and mainstream this topic widely. These campaign activities fostered

experience exchange and capacity building. Activities included.

Participation in various events to tie up with multipliers and share experience.

Strong partnership with the High School of Food and Chemical Technology in Belgrade

in order to run a pilot project and draw from that best practises and lessons learned for

future activities and distribution of the topics of chemical safety.

Picture 2: Campaign Office Staff Ms. Aleksandra Žujić Presenting Information Poster for

Students

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Planning and Coordination of the Campaign

The detailed campaign schedule of activities delivers an overview on campaign activities and

timing of the campaign. The schedule had been the core planning instrument throughout the

campaign. It had been adjusted continuously and functioned as an internal communication

document for all partners and team members involved. The schedule indicates the dates of

certain events as well as the approximate time required for preparation of these activities.

For coordination and preparation of all these activities a campaign office needed to be

established with two staff members taking care of the high-level performance of the

campaign BE SAFE WITH CHEMICALS – READ THE LABEL.

Table 1: Campaign Schedule of Activities

Feb March April May June

1a

Sch

ool p

roje

ct

Launch: Demo

lesson (students),

workshop (teachers)

5.4.

1b Retail shops 21.4.

1c MAXI / Tempo

consumer magazine 28.2. 26.3. 27.4.

1d Closure event

certificates 10.5.

3 Days of Chemistry 18.4.

4 Health & Safety WS . 25.5.

5 Museum Night 19.5.

7

Seminar “Chemicals at

workplace” at 38th Inter-

national Fair «112 expo»

31.5.

8

WS for Consumer

Associations

(closing event)

13.6.

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5 Connecting with Target Groups

School Project

The Serbian Chemicals Agency has established cooperation with the High School of Food

and Chemical Technology in Belgrade in order to organise a pilot project on classification

and labelling of chemicals.

The pilot project aimed at educating the professors and pupils about actual legislation in the

field of classification and labelling of chemicals. On 5th April 2012, the Chemicals Agency in

cooperation with the High School of Food and Chemical Technology organised a one-day

seminar dedicated to the professors and students. Both target groups were introduced to the

systems of classification and labelling of the chemicals. The professors were additionally

informed about how to organise workshops with the pupils and prepare a project “Labels &

Consumers” respectively.

Picture 3: Training of Professors and Students on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of

Chemicals

After the seminar the trained professors had the opportunity to introduce this pilot project to

professors from other schools during the “Days of Chemistry”, in order to encourage them to

organise similar projects in their schools and consider new findings in this field into the

chemistry educational programs.

Familiarizing the pupils of the High School of Food and Chemical Technology with the proper

labelling of the hazardous chemicals and manner of their keeping in the retail premises

resulted in dynamic workshops in various retail premises. On 21st May the students informed

the consumers how to read the label properly and how to handle chemical with care, where

to keep chemicals at home and ho to store them in the shops.

The activity was conducted on a Saturday morning during shopping hours in Tempo

hypermarket and four Maxi supermarkets (members of Delhaize market chain) in Belgrade.

This exercise “Labels and Consumers” came across to a great interest of schools and

teachers not only from Belgrade, but from all regions in Serbia, which is an indicator of

successfully implemented exercise as a part of the campaign.

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Picture 4: Student Explaining Labels to Consumer

The school project closed with a final workshop on 10th May 2012: The results of the

conducted interviews with 360 consumers performed in 5 supermarkets were presented and

conclusions have been drawn by all parties involved, namely the High School of Food and

Chemical Technology, SHemA and the Twinning team. All parties agreed that the whole

school project has been very successful. One key success factor was that the professors,

mentors and students of Chemistry High School have been highly committed and

enthusiastic throughout the project. The importance of environmental education at schools

has been confirmed.

Picture 4: Distribution of Certificates

SHemA and the Twinning project awarded certificates to 58 teachers, 7 mentors and 28

students.

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Days of Chemistry (Faculty of Chemistry)

At the yearly Days of Chemistry on 18 April 2012, organised by the Faculty of Chemistry in

Belgrade, SHemA experts gave a presentation on the content of the awareness raising

campaign. This presentation explained the role of the Chemicals Agency, the legal

framework for the campaign and the importance of systems for classification, labelling and

packaging of chemicals.

The plan of the campaign activities was explained in detail and the importance of analysis of

the needs of each target group was stressed. The teacher of the High School of Food and

Chemical Technology shared impressions from seminar that was held a week before. The

teacher further presented clear outcomes and benefits of this training and encourage the

colleagues in the audience to replicate this project and related activities in their own schools.

The Days of Chemistry were a good opportunity for both SHemA and the High School of

Food and Chemical Technology to share the training experience and to encourage other

schools and professors from all over Serbia to focus on the topic of chemical labelling as

well. Presenting practical experience and learning successes increased credibility of the

campaign and the feasibility of its measures significantly. Furthermore the High School

professors involved in the campaign could market their activities and profile to a broader

audience. Teachers from other schools expressed great interest in this or similar training and

organising it in their schools, all with the aim to learn more about safe chemical handling.

Between magic and chemistry (Museum Night)

The issue of the awareness raising campaign of the Twinning project was also presented

with an information stall at the Museum Night “Between magic and chemistry” on 19 May

2012 at Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade. This was an additional opportunity to reach out to

the public and inform on labelling and chemical hazards.

Picture 5: Educational Game “Recognize Pictograms”, Displayed at

Museum Night.

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As part of this activity a short educational movie produced by REC (Regional Environmental

Centre) about safe handling of household chemicals, has been shown.

Information material was distributed, such as the leaflet for consumers „Be Safe with

Chemicals – Read the Label“, which contains examples of labels and instructions for safe

storage and use of household chemicals. Furthermore, a game of recognizing pictograms for

kids was provided.

The information stall was well attended. In all, this activity resulted in a remarkable

involvement of visitors.

Health and Safety Workshop

A customised seminar was planned for Health and Safety Advisers of companies from

different branches on 25 May 2012 at Serbian Chamber of Engineers, Belgrade. It aimed at

introducing the Serbian Law on Chemicals, in particular classification, labelling and safety

data sheets as well as bans and restrictions. SHemA experts provided respective

presentations.

Furthermore an international Short Term Expert of the Twinning project gave a

comprehensive lecture on essential elements of the Chemical Agents at Work Directive as

well as practical information on how to use information for risk assessment (and risk

management measures).

Picture 6: Training for Health and Safety Advisors.

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Seminar at Expo Fair

On 31st May 2012 a Seminar “Chemicals at working place” was held at the 38th International

Fair, «112 expo» on prevention and reaction in emergency situations related to OHS.

SHemA experts reached out to the audience by presenting, among others, bans and

restrictions of producing, placing on the market and use of dangerous chemicals and

obligations related to the substances of very high concern.

Stakeholder Event with Consumer Protection Associations

As the statistic results show the need for further work on consumers’ awareness and

improvement of their knowledge of the precautionary measures, one workshop was

dedicated to address consumer protection associations: On 13th June 2012 a seminar "Safe

with Chemicals" took place at the Consumer Protection Centre, Belgrade.

The seminar was an opportunity to settle the principles for further communication and

cooperation with NGOs targeting consumer protection with their portfolio. The seminar was

an important step towards setting chemicals management as an integral part in the

sustainable consumption of the chemical products.

In order to establish good cooperation with these associations the Serbian Chemicals

Agency signed a Memorandum on Understanding with nine consumer protection

associations at the seminar.

Picture 7: Signing Memorandum of Understanding.

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6 Marketing and Public Relation

The activities of the campaign were accompanied by cost-effective marketing and public

relation measures.

Print Media

The campaign produced and distributed various informative material, such as

Background information/flyer in order to increase visibility in general; it was distributed on

all activities within the frame of the awareness raising campaign;

Poster that summarised in an appreciable and entertaining way how to handle chemicals

in households and how to avoid chemical hazards;

Campaign fact sheet that delivers background information at one glance to all parties

involved;

Large-sized symbols & pictograms for display at the events.

The information material was either provided as hard copies or for download on the

campaign website.

Campaign Website

The campaign website provided background information on the topic of labelling of chemicals

customised for different users. It had been continuously updated and informed about the

latest news and activities during the whole campaign.

Press

Press releases had been published via website at regular basis to inform about the major

activities and results of the campaign.

Media (Articles/ TV features)

From March till May the consumers were regularly informed about progress of the campaign

via articles in the consumer magazine of MAXI supermarket.

In two broadcast features representatives of the Chemicals Agency and of the Twinning

project were interviewed on labelling, risks and hazards of chemicals and the importance of

the respective awareness raising campaign.

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Picture 8: Awareness Raising in Consumer Magazine of MAXI Supermarket

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7 Outreach of the Campaign

Strong coordination efforts and efficient marketing led to high visibility of the campaign and a considerable outreach as displayed in the

table below.

Table 2: Outreach of the Campaign According to Activity and Target Group

Activity Target Group Outreach

1 Training of teachers & demo lesson for students at Chemical School Teachers, Chemistry School 58

Students, Chemistry School 25

Petnica (NGO) 4

2 School project label & consumers Selected teachers (mentors) 7

Students, Chemistry School 28

Interviewed consumers in 5 supermarkets 360

3 Days of Chemistry (Faculty Day) Chemistry teachers 200

4 Between Magic and Chemistry (Museum Night) Public

5 Health and Safety Workshop, Belgrade Fair

Trainers for education of Occupational Safety & Health advisers

Group of Occupational Safety and Health advisers from few big companies

Occupational Safety and Health advisers from licensed consultant agencies

50

6 Maxi Magazine (March issue, April issue, May issue) Consumers Monthly edition 60.000

Print material How many distributed and where?

7 T-Shirts Seminar 35

8 Flyers April Days of Chemistry, Supermarkets 700

9 Posters April Days of Chemistry 150-170

Broadcast and Online Tools ?

10 2 TV features Public ?

11 Website

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8 Annex – Campaign Description

1.1 Demo Lessons at Chemistry School and training for teachers and set up of the

project/task/exercise

Date: 5. 4. 2012

Location: School conference room

Participating experts (arrival 9h-10h): a. SHemA b. Twinning: RTA, STE Licht-Klagge

Training day: a. Training of teachers: 12:00 – 14:00 hrs

50+ teachers from chemistry school + 5 teachers from the Petnica Scientific Centre

Outline: Presentation of labelling elements, mention SDS and packaging rules, presentation of NAPO film as training tool for schools

Aim: The teachers should learn the symbols and their meanings, also the hazard and precautionary advices (focus on DSD/DPD and only reference to CLP) and if SDS is needed, they learn generally the legal background and the forthcoming changes

Content: o What are dangerous chemicals and chemical products (mixtures)?

Classes of dangers, description of all dangers o Consumer protection via risk communication – labelling

Elements of labelling – Danger symbols, Risk phrases, Safety statements Hazard classes with relevance for consumer products and education – examples Exceptions to the labelling provisions

o Risk communication – safety data sheet for professional users o Packaging - Child-hood fastening, tactile warning, never use packaging used for

food! o The upcoming Globally Harmonized System o Information sources in the internet, media

Material: Information material (SHemA)

pp-presentation, warm-up exercise, NAPO video

Certificates

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b. Training of students (age: around 15 years) and mentors: 14:30-16:30

25 students from different classes, 7 teachers (school project mentors)

Presentation of the consumer relevant labelling elements (DPD), which means which hazard, protection measures, child resistant fastenings

Aim: The students learn to know the most important symbols and their meanings, to identify R- and S-phrases, the relations between them and the symbols and to know the most important hazards of consumer products

Content: o What are dangerous chemicals and chemical products (mixtures)?

Classes of dangers, description of selected dangers. o Consumer protection via risk communication – labelling

Elements of labelling – Danger symbols, Risk phrases, Safety statements Hazard classes with relevance for consumer products – examples

o Packaging - Child-hood fastening, never use packaging used for food! o Questions and discussion o Introduction of the project/exercise/task

Material: Information material (SHemA)

pp-presentation, warm-up exercise, parts of NAPO video

c. Briefing of teachers responsible for the project about relevant activities throughout the

campaign

Time: 16.30-17.30

Material: Information material, T-shirts, posters

project description for students

Step by step project guide for teachers

Questionnaire

Sheets with symbols (in colour)

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1.2. School Exercise “Labels and Consumers”

Period of time: from day of training to closure event (26.5.)

Date: 21.4. 2012

Activities:

A) Selected tasks to be done by small teams (3-5 participants):

obligatory 1. Identification of dangerous products or groups of products in the shops (collection of

some dangerous products 2. Identification of risk phrases and safety statements on the label 3. One danger symbol – different meanings of St. Andrews Cross

additional: 4. Identification of the need of child-hood fastening 5. Separation of food and dangerous products in the shop

B) Interview for customers about knowledge of labels

C) Preparation of a short report (small study) about findings (photos, etc.) until 1 week before 10.5.

Guidance of students by selected teachers (7, “mentors”) throughout the project

Presentation of results at closure event

Cooperation with supermarket MAXI / Tempo:

First announcement in March issue of the consumer magazine of MAXI markets (monthly edition

60.000, date of issue 10th)

Article with more information in April issue

Report with pictures in May

Report from the closure event in June

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1.3. Closure Event of “Label and Consumers”

Date: 10.5.2012

Time: 12.30 – 14.30

Location: School

Activities:

Presentation of results

Distribution of certificates for teachers and students

2. Days of Chemistry (Faculty of Chemistry)

Date: 18th April 2012, presentation foreseen from 9:00 to 9:40

Location: Faculty of Chemistry

Participants: Chemistry teachers (ca 200)

Activities: Presentation on campaign and activities by SHemA and teacher of Chemical Food

Technological High School about the trainings from 5.4.2012

3. Between Magic and Chemistry (Museum Night)

Date: 19.5.2012

Location: Faculty of Chemistry

Activities:

Video (from stakeholder event, Oct.´11)

Material: movie and equipment, leaflets

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4. Health and Safety Workshop

Date: 25.5.2012

Location: Serbian Chamber of Engineers

RTA, STE Licht-Klagge

5. Expo Fair

Date: 31.5.2012

Location: Belgrade Fair

SHemA

6. NGO Workshop

Date: 12.6.2012

Location: Palace of Belgrade

Participating experts: a. SHemA b. Twinning: STE Choudhury, RTA

Material:

Press kit

Poster, large-sized pictograms

7. Campaign Website

Visible button on SHemA homepage leading to campaign page

Material for download: o Electronic press kit including all materials mentioned under 1. o Photographs o Poster

News: Regular announcement of campaign activities and results

Links to Chemical Food Technological High School, Scientific Centre Petnica, Faculty of Chemistry, Museum night, Twinning project, Maxi

Include URL of campaign website on all material that is going to be distributed