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.