Transcript NATIONAL SAICM IMPLEMENTATION: DEVELOPING A GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK THE CASE OF JAMAICA Gillian Guthrie Ministry of Local Government and Environment June 19, 2006

NATIONAL SAICM IMPLEMENTATION:
DEVELOPING A GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK
THE CASE OF JAMAICA
Gillian Guthrie
Ministry of Local Government and Environment
June 19, 2006
SAICM: So What?
 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 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 of
SAICM, Jamaica has developed the Integrated National
Programme (INP) for the Sound Management of Chemicals
and 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
In relation to SAICM implementation, the main national
information exchange mechanisms are:
- Inter-Agency Coordination Mechanism
- National chemical safety website
(www.chemicalsafety.gov.jm)
Home
About Us
Stakeholders
Legislative Framework
Consumer & Household
National Chemical Profile
Banned or Restricted Chemicals
Priority Areas for National Action
- National Chemicals Profile
INP: Priority Areas
Five (5) Priority Areas identified for attention under the
INP were:
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•
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
Some responsibilities of the IACM:
- assess capacity building and technical cooperation needs
and recommend appropriate strategies to address these
- promote public and sector-specific education and
awareness programmes
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
SAICM: Some Opportunities

Access to relevant scientific and technical information

Include the SAICM Implementation as programme area for
focus of the CARICOM Secretariat
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)