During its most recent project phase, the GTZ Convention Project Chemical Safety collaborated closely with projects and programmes in Thailand, China, Tanzania, the Philippines, Zambia, Morocco, Argentina, Chile, Viet Nam and Costa Rica. Our work has focused on building the human and institutional capacities of our partner countries.

What we have achieved

The project’s work has improved chemicals management and chemical safety in selected developing countries. It can take credit for contributing extensively to concept development for implementation of the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. The project also helped certain partner countries take the first steps toward complying with the conventions. It is now in a position to build upon its experience and numerous contacts in its third phase.

Some examples:

• With financial support from Euro Chlor (European Association of the Chlor-Alkali Industry) and UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), the project identified and documented potential sources of dioxin and furan emissions in Thailand. Two follow-up studies enabled the project to suggest ways to minimise or eliminate environmental pollution caused by the daily operation of crematories. It also offered proposals on how Thailand’s steel industry might minimise dioxin and furan emissions by employing optimised production processes.
• In Latin America, the project supported the creation of a network of poison control centres.
• The project developed a handbook on chemicals management for small and medium-sized enterprises which is already being used in many developing and newly industrialising countries.
• The project advised and supported numerous developing countries in Africa and Asia on inventorying and disposing of obsolete pesticides and/or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
• In cooperation with international institutions (UNEP Chemicals, Basel Convention Regional Centres, UNITAR), the project funded national and regional workshops in Asia, Africa and Latin America on how to improve chemicals management (Globally Harmonized System/GHS, polychlorinated biphenyls/PCBs, obsolete pesticides, dioxins/furans).
• In conjunction with the Philippine cement industry, the project completed a pilot project to test the incineration of hazardous wastes in cement kilns. It then participated in incineration testing by monitoring dioxin/furan emissions.