GPS Implementation: Examples and Challenges

Dr. Ahmed Al-Hazmi Manager, Environmental Affairs 25 September 2012

No. 2

Global Product Strategy

GPS is designed to improve the global chemical industry’s product stewardship

performance by recommending measures to be taken by companies, working

together with their chemical associations, and in cooperation with activities of

other companies and associations along the chemical value chain.

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The centerpiece of GPS is the enhancement and expansion of product

stewardship best practices within the industry and throughout the

value chain.

The centerpiece of GPS is the enhancement and expansion of product

stewardship best practices within the industry and throughout the

value chain.

The ultimate purpose of GPS is to increase public and stakeholder

awareness of, and confidence in, the safe management of chemicals

throughout their lifecycle by demonstrably increasing chemical

industry performance and transparency.

The ultimate purpose of GPS is to increase public and stakeholder

awareness of, and confidence in, the safe management of chemicals

throughout their lifecycle by demonstrably increasing chemical

industry performance and transparency.

No. 3

Components of the Global Product Strategy

• Guidelines for product stewardship, including ways to make relevant product stewardship information more transparent.

• A tiered process for completing risk characterization and risk management actions

for chemicals in commerce.

• Product stewardship performance with a special focus on working directly with downstream customers of the chemical industry.

• Exploration of a potential partnership with an intergovernmental organization to enhance global product stewardship.

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No. 4

APPROACHES TO CHEMICAL PRODUCTS COMPLIANCE

Chemicals Management Compliance

REACHREACH Other legislations Other legislations

Industry standards

Global Product Strategy Global Product Strategy

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REACH: Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of ChemicalsSAICM: Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management

No. 5

FUNDAMENTALS

Predict effects on people & environment

Tox/Ecotox & Exposure Data

Highly technical

Source: Stewardship Solutions

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No. 6

5. Enhance the management of chemical products worldwide (Product Stewardship)

Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)

Global Product Strategy (GPS)

1. Develop global stewardship guidelines

2. Develop a system for implementation

3. Define risk-based assessment process

4. Improve flow of information

5. Partnership with inter-governmental organizations and stakeholders

6. Share relevant information between industry and with public

7. Research to close data gaps and identify emerging issues

8. Communicate GPS (internal / external)

9. Develop global advocacy principles

Responsible Care Global Charter5. Enhance the management of

chemical products worldwide (Product Stewardship)

Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)

Global Product Strategy (GPS)

1. Develop global stewardship guidelines

2. Develop a system for implementation

3. Define risk-based assessment process

4. Improve flow of information

5. Partnership with inter-governmental organizations and stakeholders

6. Share relevant information between industry and with public

7. Research to close data gaps and identify emerging issues

8. Communicate GPS (internal / external)

9. Develop global advocacy principles

Responsible Care Global Charter

Global Product Strategy – Contribution to SAICM

Source: ICCA

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No. 7

Globally consistent approach that accommodates national, historical, cultural and regulatory differences

Voluntary initiatives• Responsible Care• ICCA HPV• Base Set of Information• OECD / SIDS• LRI• etc.

Regulatory initiatives• EU REACH• US TSCA• Canadian DSL• Japan CSR• GHS• etc.

Cooperation• UNEP• UNIDO• OECD• NGOs• ICCA internal• etc.

GPS – Leverage and Build Upon Existing Work

Source: ICCA

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No. 8

Discussed in 1992 during the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro

It is an international framework on sound chemicals management

Adopted at the International Conference on Chemical Management in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in February 2006

One of SAICM’s key goals is to ensure that existing chemical and waste disposal-related treaties are all ratified and become subject to implementing legislation in the various nations

SAICM

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No. 9

Expanding & accelerating international assessment of chemical risks

Harmonization of classification & labeling of chemicals

Information exchange on toxic chemicals & chemical risks

Strengthening of national capabilities & capacities for management

of chemicals

Prevention of illegal international traffic in toxic & dangerous products

Goals of SAICM

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No. 10

SABIC APPROACH10

No. 11