Nano Draft Guidance and Pilot Projects

Rob VisserUNITAR Senior Advisor

Nano African Regional MeetingApril 2011, Nairobi

Outline Background National committee National Profile EHS priority Awareness raising Training Priority setting National nano programme

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Chapter I. Background and Introduction

Working definition of “Nano” Applications of Nano – some examples Environmental and Health concerns Research and Development Nano EHS as part of a programme for the sound

management of chemicals Relevant international work (OECD and others) Nano and the GHS Relevant global resolutions

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Chapter II. Preparatory Considerations and National Committee for nano

Secretariat and Lead Agency selection Workplan development Planning for an inception workshop Set up of national committee: both internal (within government) and external TORs developed and approved for committee Activities begin!

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Project Overview Diagram

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ICCM3Side-event

Chapter III. Updating/Developing National Profile with a Nano Chapter

1. Introduction

2. National Background Information

3. Status of Research and Development Activities (e.g. materials development, risk research) on Manufactured Nanomaterials (“Nano”)

4. Governance-Current Structure for Management of Nano (e.g. materials development and risk research)

5. Positive and Sustainable Impacts (Benefits) of Nano

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Chapter III. Updating/Developing National Profile with a Nano Chapter (cont’d)

6. Activities on Management of Risks Related to Nano

7. Stakeholders and Nano Risk Management

8. Internationally Available Information on Nano and Regional Needs

9. Resources Available and Needed for Nano Risk Management

10. Conclusions and Recommendation

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Chapter IV. Determination of Nano Environmental Health and Safety Priorities

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Activities/ Possible Actors High, Medium and Low Short term Medium term (2-3 years) Long term

Chapter V. Development of a National Nano Policy

Integrated approach and co-ordination: SAICM and Conventions

Mainstreaming into development planning

Cover full life cycle

Ministries involved, e.g. science and technology, trade, health, environment, labour, agriculture, industry, transport, customs, etc. + as appropriate foreign affairs, justice and planning

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Elements of a National Nano Policy (4 Steps Procedure)

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Chapter VI. Awareness Raising Among Key Groups

Target Groups: High-level decision-makers The public Civil Society SMEs/Importers/Trade Associations Others?

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Chapter VII. Targeted Training for Professionals and Workers

Identified groups: Customs training Training of industrial hygienists Training of workers Training of environment and health specialists Others?

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Chapter VIII. Priority-Setting for Nano

Criteria for Priority Setting:

Feasibility Time frame Stakeholder commitment Potential for support Economic impact Assessment

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Practical aspects of prioritization

Watching out for actions that are very broad (break them down to more tangible activities) or very small (amalgamate into sufficiently large activities)

Screening to eliminate the large majority of items. This could be within the same category, going through all categories, or even prioritising many items across categories. A few criteria would be used such as likelihood of getting resources likelihood of getting results within 1 to 5 years potential to improve governance potential to reduce concerns of the public or politicians

Chapter VIII. Priority-Setting for Nano (cont’d)

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Nano Priority Workshop

Objectives: Validate the lists of high priority actions Give insights into how one can formulate and prioritise more precise actions or projects Make an inventory and formulate partnership projects.

Workshop Program: Training in basic concepts for the formulation of precise projects Application of these concepts in a few examples Training in basic concepts for prioritisation Application of these concepts in a few examples

Chapter VIII. Priority-Setting for Nano (cont’d)

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Methodology:

1. Identify in max 5 minutes if there is any indispensible additional action

2. Choose 3-5 actions for elaboration

3. For each action chosen, reformulate into packages of practical size according to the following criteria:

a. Can be finished or well advanced in 1-5 yearsb. Have a total costc. Each group is expected to work on 2-3 packages

4. Discuss if there is a logical sequential order between any of the activities

5. For discussions on priorities choose 3-5 actions or packages that are early in a sequential order

6. Discuss the priority order of these actions considering the criteria for impact and feasibility

Chapter VIII. Priority-Setting for Nano (cont’d)

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Examples of criteria for impact:

Compatibility with general policies Potential to reduce threats to health and environment Potential to improve knowledge about such threats Potential to reduce inequality within the population Potential to reduce political or other concerns

Chapter VIII. Priority-Setting for Nano (cont’d)

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Examples of criteria for feasibility:

Compatibility with national long term policies Compatibility with other national priorities Potential to obtain information for the relevant decisions Availability of alternatives Availability of resources: human, technical, financial Availability of existing projects that can be coordinated with the action Availability of an organisation that is willing to take the lead Possibility of synergies with other actions Compatibility with international requirements Cost efficiency (for instance the existence of “low hanging fruits”)

Chapter VIII. Priority-Setting for Nano (cont’d)

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Chapter IX. Presentation of the National Nano Programme

National Programme can comprise:

Priority activities to build/strengthen capacities Linkages to other areas of/tools for sound chemicals management

(e.g. GHS, National Profile, SAICM Implementation Plan) National Policy is at the “core” of the programme Nano Committee directs and guides the programme Main focus is environmental/health protection with regard to both

risks and applications (promotion of applications) Reflects agreed nano priorities Is updated regularly

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Chapter X. Bringing the Results to the International Level

Sharing Lessons Learned Examples of National Experiences International Declarations Resolutions

IFCS SAICM ICCM-3 report

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