Despite the challenges from the COVID-19 situation since 2020, the drive of ARCP initiatives and programmes is keeping its momentum in this region.
In this unprecedented circumstance in which physical workshops are not feasible, the ARCP continued its engagement efforts with the ASEAN Member States (AMS) through virtual platforms. It has proven to be as effective with an extended involvement from more representatives of Government from various Ministries and Statutory Boards as well as from the industry.
In addition to the annal year-end ARCP workshop, the ARCP organising committee has introduced a series of mini webinars throughout the year as part of the ongoing industry capacity and capability-building efforts to share and grow knowledge on chemical management for the ASEAN community.
ARCP Mini Webinars
In 2021, two mini webinars were held in May and Aug respectively with the programme specially curated to focus on experience sharing on the practical approach of regulatory implementation. It was well attended by more than 100 delegates comprising of both Government and Industry representatives in every webinar session. Topics shared included:
- GHS implementation and updates. The sharing by presenters included:
- Singapore (Ministry of Manpower and Singapore Civil Defence Force)
- Chinese Taipei Safety and Health Technology Center – SAHTECH
- Malaysia (OSH Dept, Ministry of Human Resources)
- Indonesia (Ministry of Industry)
- Cambodia (Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation)
- Chemical inventory sharing by:
- Chinese Taipei Safety and Health Technology Center - SAHTECH
- Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme -AICIS
Formation of two new ARCP Virtual Workgroups
In addition to the two ARCP Virtual Workgroups on “Developing a Chemical Inventory” and “GHS Implementation Alignment”, two other new virtual workgroups were established in 2021 to support the continued efforts of ARCP in promoting regulatory alignment in the ASEAN region during the implementation of the chemical management regulations:
- ARCP Virtual Workgroup on New Substances Notification
- ARCP Experts Virtual Workgroup on Product Risk Assessment
The ARCP has been an effective platform in operationalizing the concept of global principles for regulatory cooperation. With the continued extended support from the industry members, this is an important step in our advocacy journey towards achieving an established regulatory environment with harmonized framework of aligned requirements and processes that encourages free and open trade and investment while protecting human health, safety, environment and security.
ARCP Workshop – 15 to 16 Nov 2021
As the country host for ARCP workshop 2021, Mr Terence Koh, Executive Director of the Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC) welcomed all the delegates to the virtual workshop. This was followed by a sharing by Singapore Ministry of Trade & Industry (ASEAN division) on updates and developments of ASEAN Economic Community blueprint.
The 2-day workshop was kicked-off in providing the delegates a backdrop on inter-relation of Chemical Management Regulations and Technical Barriers To Trade. This was the first attempt of having a panel discussion that was focused on the broader trade agenda including opportunities to promote WTO modernization and ASEAN harmonization in our annual ARCP workshops. Panellist shared views and thoughts on the role that regulatory cooperation plays in promoting integration as well as a potential area of opportunity for better coordination at the regional and multilateral level. A good exchange of updates on current activities that look into promoting regulatory cooperation and preventing/eliminating technical barriers to trade were shared. In addition, perspectives from business communities including from SMEs were shared as we advocate for a sound science, risk based regulatory environment. The panellist comprised of:
- Lisa Schroeter, ICCA (Moderator) (Global Director of Trade & Investment Policy, The Dow Chemical Company)
- Kent Shigetomi, Acting Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for WTO and Multilateral Affairs, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
- Kolin Low,Regional Standards Manager, ASEAN, Japan, Korea, Australasia, Underwriters Laboratories
- Chris Humphrey, Executive Director, EU ASEAN Business Council
- Andrew Lim, CEO, Pride-Chem Industries Pte Ltd
The development of ASEAN guidance documents that served as relevant and useful resource references for ASEAN Member States (AMS) in their development stage of chemical management regulatory implementation is one of key focus of ARCP.
Inputs from regulators and industry from all AMS are being considered and discussed in the development process of the guidance documents to ensure its relevancy and fit-for-purpose/use by AMS. In addition to the following guidance documents that were previously developed on “Developing a Chemical Inventory”, “GHS Implementation Alignment” and “ASEAN Priority Screening Tool”, intensive breakout discussions that took place in this ARCP workshop have also solicited views and comments from the delegates on the development of guidance document for the 2 new topics on “New substance notification” and “Product risk assessment” as well as the continued discussion on GHS to develop a GHS implementation checklist in view of the evolving GHS requirements.
Building knowledge and competency in aspects of chemical management such as Classification of Hazardous Chemicals (GHS), Product Risk Assessment on Chemical Products, use of ASEAN prioritization screening tools in priority setting for risk assessment/ evaluation of chemicals and provision of introductory knowledge to human health and environmental toxicology etc is another key focus of coverage in ARCP workshops.
In this year’s workshop, capacity building topics was focused on “Product Risk Assessment” where delegates were introduced to the concept and principles as well as how they would access available data and resources. A practical hands-on exercise in the breakout session had also provided the delegates an opportunity to apply the concepts and principles that were introduced.
As part of the programme, each AMS also shared the key updates and developments of emerging regulation. The effective AMS network of sharing has provided insights and valuable learnings through the experiences sharing.
With the virtual setting of the workshop, the session has enabled more participation and saw an overwhelming attendance of more than 200 participants including both Government (various Ministries and Statutory Boards) and Industry representatives from the 10 AMS as well as ARCP partners and relevant stakeholders. These included members from ACCSQ members (ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards & Quality), LARCF (LATAM) team who is overseeing the regulatory co-operation project in Latin America region, Indian Chemical Council, KemI (Swedish Chemicals Agency), ICCA, ACC and JCIA.
Path Forward
Enhanced regulatory cooperation in AMS will contribute to the solution to resolve the non-tariff trade barriers in the region as it allows better coordination; effective use of resources and better alignment of regulatory requirements and processes between trading partners.
Having a coherent regulatory environment allows the member states to export their products to the rest of the ASEAN with confidence. A harmonized framework with consistent requirements, standards and processes allows member states who have lesser resources and experience to enable the building of their foundation. This will support them in the faster adoption of regulatory framework and structure. This creates a stabilised regulatory environment, that is consistent with global standards, which is necessary for economic growth and social stability. This is also an enabler to facilitate trading with other regions.
In the course of co-operation efforts, it will provide an effective network where best practices and guidelines applied in other jurisdiction are shared for learnings and knowledge enhancement among regulators as well as industry members especially SMEs. Capacity building programmes and initiatives can be leveraged on to further build the knowledge and competency to help equip the regulators with the skillsets in setting chemical management regulatory policies and implementation plans in their countries.
The ARPC will continue its efforts towards achieving the official recognition of “Industrial Chemicals” as one of the new priority sectors in ACCSQ (ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality). This will bring the level of awareness, recognition and commitment to drive harmonization efforts in chemical regulatory requirements as well as standards among AMS.
Establishing an official platform through the endorsement on the formation of ACCSQ Working Group on Industrial Chemicals will present as a key driver to enable the progressive transition from linear to a circular model towards building a sustainable economy for the future.
Contributed by:
ARCP Organising Committee
