GPS Implementation: Examples and Challenges Dr. Ahmed Al-Hazmi

1. GPS Implementation: Examples and Challenges Dr. Ahmed Al-Hazmi Manager, Environmental Affairs 25 September 2012

2. 1 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. 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.

3. 2 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.

4. Approaches to Chemical Products Compliance Other legislations REACH Chemicals Management Compliance Industry standards Global Product Strategy Responsible Care SAICM SUSTAINABILITY REACH: Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals SAICM: Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management

5. Fundamentals Highly technical Determine Product Hazards+ Exposures Assess Product Risks MANAGE PRODUCTRISKS Predict effects on people & environment Tox/Ecotox & Exposure Data Source: Stewardship Solutions

6. Global Product Strategy – Contribution to SAICM Source: ICCA

7.  • Regulatory initiatives • EU REACH • US TSCA • Canadian DSL • Japan CSR • GHS • etc.  • Voluntary initiatives • Responsible Care • ICCA HPV • Base Set of Information • OECD / SIDS • LRI • etc.  • Cooperation • UNEP • UNIDO • OECD • NGOs • ICCA internal • etc. GPS – Leverage and Build Upon Existing Work Global Product Strategy (GPS) Globally consistent approach that accommodates national, historical, cultural and regulatory differences Source: ICCA

8. 7 SAICM • 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

9. 8 Goals of SAICM • 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

10. SABIC Approach

11. Thank you