Status of GHS Status of GHS Implementation and Implementation and

Hazard Communication Hazard Communication in Myanmarin Myanmar

Dr. Phone Myint ( Ministry Dr. Phone Myint ( Ministry of Health ) of Health )

Dr. Khin Saw Yi (Ministry Dr. Khin Saw Yi (Ministry of Health) Daw Bunny of Health) Daw Bunny Win (Ministry of Industry Win (Ministry of Industry I) I)

Daw Ni Ni Tun (Ministry of Daw Ni Ni Tun (Ministry of Agriculture &Irrigation)Agriculture &Irrigation)

Union of Myanmar

The Land The largest country on the main land of South East Asia.

Total land area 676,577sq.km (216,228sq.miles)

The neighboring countries:Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Thailand

Current Population – around 53 million

Freedom of religion- Buddhism, Islam, Christians, Hindus

Population

Religion

Official languageMyanmar

Economic System

Line of Trade

• Agriculture• Industry• Oil production• Livestock and fishery• Mineral• Gems and Jade

• Market oriented economy

system

It is implementing a It is implementing a market oriented market oriented economic system and economic system and taking appropriate taking appropriate measures for increasing measures for increasing participation of the participation of the private sector private sector extensively in economic extensively in economic activities and promoting activities and promoting efficiency of State efficiency of State Economic Enterprises . Economic Enterprises .

Myanmar is also in the Myanmar is also in the midst of Political, midst of Political, Socioeconomic, Socioeconomic, Environmental, Environmental, Technological, Demographic Technological, Demographic and Epidemiological and Epidemiological transitionstransitions..

The growth in productive sectors The growth in productive sectors

such as Agriculture, Industry, such as Agriculture, Industry,

Energy , Transport and other service Energy , Transport and other service

sectors made enormous progress in sectors made enormous progress in

human development by positive human development by positive

contribution to employment contribution to employment

opportunities, increase personal opportunities, increase personal

income, greater social wealth and income, greater social wealth and

improved services.improved services.

Economic development programs Economic development programs

are not free from risks and adverse are not free from risks and adverse

effects on human health and effects on human health and

environment either directly through environment either directly through

exposure to harmful agents exposure to harmful agents

particularly chemicals or indirectly particularly chemicals or indirectly

through environmental through environmental

degradation and environmental degradation and environmental

pollution.pollution.

In a developing country like In a developing country like

Myanmar Myanmar

human exposure and health risk human exposure and health risk

arising from arising from

existing hazardous chemicals such existing hazardous chemicals such

as as

pesticides , lead and mercury are of pesticides , lead and mercury are of

particular concerns. particular concerns.

Hazardous Chemicals and

Recognizing the need of Recognizing the need of

integration of Health , integration of Health ,

Environment and Sustainable Environment and Sustainable

Development, the Government Development, the Government

of the Union of Myanmar has of the Union of Myanmar has

established the National established the National

Commission for Environmental Commission for Environmental

Affairs in 1990, to formulate a Affairs in 1990, to formulate a

comprehensive national comprehensive national

environmental policy. environmental policy.

Myanmar Agenda 21 was Myanmar Agenda 21 was

adopted in 1997 to serve as adopted in 1997 to serve as

a blue-print for Sustainable a blue-print for Sustainable

Development in the Development in the

country. Myanmar Agenda country. Myanmar Agenda

21 covers the three broad 21 covers the three broad

dimensions (or) the three dimensions (or) the three

pillars of sustainable pillars of sustainable

development namely- the development namely- the

social, economic and social, economic and

environmental dimensions.environmental dimensions.

Regarding the Environmentally Regarding the Environmentally

Sound Management of Toxic Sound Management of Toxic

chemical, Myanmar Agenda 21 chemical, Myanmar Agenda 21

contains a chapter relating to this contains a chapter relating to this

issue. In particular, Chapter 10 of issue. In particular, Chapter 10 of

Myanmar Agenda 21 is concerned Myanmar Agenda 21 is concerned

with Environmental Quality with Environmental Quality

Management and Enhancement. Management and Enhancement.

Promote environmentally Promote environmentally sound management of toxic sound management of toxic chemicals and hazardous chemicals and hazardous wastes is one of the programs.wastes is one of the programs.

Regarding the sources of toxic Regarding the sources of toxic chemicals and hazardous chemicals and hazardous wastes, Myanmar Agenda 21 wastes, Myanmar Agenda 21 stated that in Myanmar, most stated that in Myanmar, most factories neither produce toxic factories neither produce toxic chemicals nor use them as raw chemicals nor use them as raw materials in their materials in their manufacturing processes.manufacturing processes.

However, some industrial However, some industrial

hazardous wastes are hazardous wastes are

generated by a few factories generated by a few factories

such as paper mills, leather such as paper mills, leather

factories, textile mills and factories, textile mills and

some chemical plants.some chemical plants.

Chemical Related Industries of Chemical Related Industries of MyanmarMyanmar

Registered Chemical Related Industries under Registered Chemical Related Industries under

Ministry of Industry IMinistry of Industry I Main Brand Total no: Main Brand Total no:

Factory FactoriesFactory Factories

MyanmaTextile Industries 22 13 35MyanmaTextile Industries 22 13 35

Myanma Food Stuff Industries 22 30 52Myanma Food Stuff Industries 22 30 52

Myanma Pharmaceutical Industries 14 5 19Myanma Pharmaceutical Industries 14 5 19

Myanma Ceramic Industries 15 6 21Myanma Ceramic Industries 15 6 21

Myanma Paper Myanma Paper & Chemical Industries 10 - 10& Chemical Industries 10 - 10

MyanmaGeneral & Maintenance 17 12 29 MyanmaGeneral & Maintenance 17 12 29

Industries _______________________Industries _______________________

100 66 166 100 66 166

Source: Ministry of Industry I ________________________Source: Ministry of Industry I ________________________

Until 30th June 2005 (up to date)Until 30th June 2005 (up to date)

Registered Chemical Related Registered Chemical Related Private IndustriesPrivate Industries

No. Description No. of No. Description No. of EstablishmentEstablishment

1. Food Product 1. Food Product 2689626896

2.2. Textiles 2083Textiles 20833.3. Leather 221Leather 2214.4. Paper 261Paper 2615.5. Coke Coke & Petrol Product 8& Petrol Product 86.6. Chemical &Chemical & Chemical Product 426 Chemical Product 4267.7. Rubber Rubber & Plastic 787& Plastic 7878.8. Soap & Detergent ( Bar, Powder , Liquid ) 59Soap & Detergent ( Bar, Powder , Liquid ) 599.9. Pharmaceutical Industries 58Pharmaceutical Industries 5810.10. Ceramic Industries 4 Ceramic Industries 4 __________________

3080330803 __________ __________

Source: Ministry of Industry ISource: Ministry of Industry I Until 30th June 2005 (up to date)Until 30th June 2005 (up to date)

Industrial ChemicalsIndustrial Chemicals

Hazardous chemicals which are in Hazardous chemicals which are in

use in large quantities are caustic use in large quantities are caustic

soda, bleaching agents such as soda, bleaching agents such as

Hydrogen Peroxide, Sodium Hydrogen Peroxide, Sodium

Chlorite, Sodium Hypochlorite and Chlorite, Sodium Hypochlorite and

acids. These chemicals are acids. These chemicals are

imported.imported.

Most of the chemicals in Most of the chemicals in Consumer Consumer

Products are imported.Products are imported.

Big Chemical Industries are not Big Chemical Industries are not

existed in existed in

Myanmar.Myanmar.

Majority of industries are medium Majority of industries are medium or or

small in small in

size.size.

Laws and RegulationsLaws and Regulations

There are sectoral laws , There are sectoral laws ,

regulations and departmental regulations and departmental

actions related to the sound actions related to the sound

management of toxic chemicals. management of toxic chemicals.

These include the Explosive Act These include the Explosive Act

(1887),the Oil Field Act (1918) the (1887),the Oil Field Act (1918) the

Poison Act (1919),the Petroleum Poison Act (1919),the Petroleum

Act (1934) the Factory Act (1951),Act (1934) the Factory Act (1951),

Laws and RegulationsLaws and Regulationsthe Motor Vehicle Law (1964),the the Motor Vehicle Law (1964),the

Private Industrial Enterprises Law Private Industrial Enterprises Law

(1990)(1990)

the Pesticide law(1990) , the Promotion the Pesticide law(1990) , the Promotion

of Cottage Industries Law of Cottage Industries Law

(1991) ,Myanmar Mines Law(1994) ,Air (1991) ,Myanmar Mines Law(1994) ,Air

Pollution and Water Pollution Control Pollution and Water Pollution Control

Plan of the Ministry of Industry I and Plan of the Ministry of Industry I and

Myanmar Investment Commission Myanmar Investment Commission

Guidelines.Guidelines.

Laws and RegulationsLaws and Regulations

Other legislation such as Factories Other legislation such as Factories

Act of 1951, Public Health Law Act of 1951, Public Health Law

1972 which are more or less 1972 which are more or less

related with the management of related with the management of

hazardous waste and prevention hazardous waste and prevention

of industrial accidents . At of industrial accidents . At

present, they are under review.present, they are under review.

InstitutionInstitution

Regarding institution, there Regarding institution, there

is no specific institution is no specific institution

assigned with the task for assigned with the task for

the overall management of the overall management of

toxic chemicals and toxic chemicals and

hazardous wastes.hazardous wastes.

Existing legislation that Existing legislation that could accommodate the could accommodate the

GHSGHS

-- There are many different There are many different

names and articles of law names and articles of law

under different ministries in under different ministries in

Myanmar. The Ministry of Myanmar. The Ministry of

Industry I issues the action Industry I issues the action

plan as standing order in plan as standing order in

which Occupational Safety which Occupational Safety

and Health Plan, Air and Water and Health Plan, Air and Water

Pollution Control Plan, Food Pollution Control Plan, Food

and Drug Control Plan are and Drug Control Plan are

included. included.

Existing legislation that Existing legislation that could accommodate the could accommodate the

GHS (cont:)GHS (cont:)

These standing orders are directly These standing orders are directly

concerned with concerned with

the Chemical Safety Law. In order to get a the Chemical Safety Law. In order to get a

comprehensive Chemical Safety Law and comprehensive Chemical Safety Law and

regulations, harmonization is required regulations, harmonization is required

which will which will

take time and assistance from UN agencies.take time and assistance from UN agencies.

Existing legislation that Existing legislation that could accommodate the could accommodate the

GHSGHSIndustry Industry

Standing Orders of Industry I & IIStanding Orders of Industry I & IIAgricultureAgriculture

Pesticides Law of 1990 Pesticides Law of 1990 TransportTransport Motor Vehicle Law (1960)Motor Vehicle Law (1960)Consumers ChemicalsConsumers Chemicals

No specific chemical law and regulation No specific chemical law and regulation exist recently.exist recently.

There are individual instructions and There are individual instructions and directions in each directions in each Ministry.Ministry.

The manuals of how to handle chemicals The manuals of how to handle chemicals are issued in each are issued in each chemical industry chemical industry depending on the type of chemical and depending on the type of chemical and process process respectively.respectively.

Chemical Classification Chemical Classification System System

Industry - For Industrial Industry - For Industrial Chemicals the Harmonized Chemicals the Harmonized Commodity Description Commodity Description and Coding System is and Coding System is used.used.Agriculture - FAO Code of Agriculture - FAO Code of Conduct on the Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Distribution and Use of Pesticides, Pesticides,

Guidelines on Good Labeling Practice Guidelines on Good Labeling Practice

for Pesticides and the WHO for Pesticides and the WHO

Recommended Classification of Recommended Classification of

Pesticides by Hazards are used by Pesticides by Hazards are used by

the Agriculture sector.the Agriculture sector.

Transport - UN Recommendation on Transport - UN Recommendation on

the Transport of Dangerous Goods the Transport of Dangerous Goods

(UNRTG) is adopted and practiced by (UNRTG) is adopted and practiced by

the Transport Sector.the Transport Sector.

Existing Hazard Existing Hazard Communication System Communication System

Industrial chemicalsIndustrial chemicals- Use of labels and safety - Use of labels and safety data sheets.data sheets.AgricultureAgriculture- Use of labels.- Use of labels.TransportTransport- Use of labels .- Use of labels .ConsumersConsumers- Safety data sheets, Safety data sheets, sometimes not sometimes not available especially from available especially from border trade.border trade.

Introduction of GHS Introduction of GHS into National Chemical into National Chemical Management Scheme.Management Scheme.

-- Interested in introducing Interested in introducing GHS into GHS into National Chemical National Chemical Management Management Scheme. Scheme.

-- The adaptation process The adaptation process of GHS in of GHS in Myanmar is under Myanmar is under way.way.

-- At present, Myanmar At present, Myanmar stands at the stands at the stage of stage of awareness raising on GHS.awareness raising on GHS.

Current of GHS Current of GHS implementation in implementation in

MyanmarMyanmarPreparing for revising related Preparing for revising related legislation / administrative legislation / administrative procedures.procedures.

Obstacles to Obstacles to implementation of the implementation of the

GHS GHS

-- Lack of resources / Lack of resources / capacity.capacity.

Realizing the hazards of Realizing the hazards of

dangerous dangerous

chemicals to workers and chemicals to workers and

general public general public

especially the vulnerable especially the vulnerable

groups, GHS which groups, GHS which

provides a framework for provides a framework for

helping to improve helping to improve

chemical management and chemical management and

safety of these safety of these

groups need to be adopted. groups need to be adopted.

All of us are very much All of us are very much interested in taking interested in taking

advantage of the GHS to advantage of the GHS to develop basic develop basic

capacities for sound capacities for sound chemical hazard chemical hazard

communication and chemical communication and chemical management in management in

general . It has been general . It has been inspired that relevant inspired that relevant

legal and technical legal and technical infrastructure could be infrastructure could be

built through adequate built through adequate training and technical training and technical

support .support .

As there are many As there are many

different laws and regulations different laws and regulations

pertaining to chemicals pertaining to chemicals

management, harmonization management, harmonization

will take some time and will take some time and

assistance from UN Agencies assistance from UN Agencies

and relevant organizations is and relevant organizations is

required for a comprehensive required for a comprehensive

enforcement and practice of enforcement and practice of

GHS in Myanmar.GHS in Myanmar.

Thank Thank YouYou