NATIONAL SAICM IMPLEMENTATION: DEVELOPING A GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

Gillian Guthrie Ministry of Local Government and Environment

June 19, 2006

THE CASE OF JAMAICA

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?

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’

Jamaica’s Integrated National Programme (INP) for Chemicals and Hazardous Wastes

Management

In seeking to fulfill the objectives outlined in the OPS ofSAICM, Jamaica has developed the Integrated NationalProgramme (INP) for the Sound Management of Chemicalsand 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

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

INP: Priority Areas

Five (5) Priority Areas identified for attention under theINP 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)

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.

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

- 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:

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

Access to relevant scientific and technical information

Include the SAICM Implementation as programme area for focus of the CARICOM Secretariat

SAICM: Some Opportunities

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)