Chemical Management in Lao PDR

By: Khonekeo KINGKHAMBANG Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Lao PDR

6th Regional Chemicals Management Forum 19-21 March 2013, Vientiane , Lao PDR

Content

Law and Regulations

Environmental Sector

Health Sector

Industry Sector Agriculture Sector

Status of Regulation and Laws for Chemical Management in Laos

Environment Protection Law

Decree on ESIA implementation (2010)

National Environmental Standard ..Etc..

Agriculture Law No 01/98.PM, dated 10/10/98

Regulation for the management and usage of pesticide No 0886/FAM, Dated 10/03/2000 ( 3rd revised )

Medicine and Medical Products Law,

Laws and Regulations

Regulation for management and Control of Waste discharge from Industrial

Mining Law, and Etc… Regulations on Import and Export of

Chemicals Decree On Import and Export

Management Hazardous Chemical Strategic Plan 2006

– 2020 (Ministry of Science and Technology)

Chemical Inventories

Selected hazardous chemicals:

POPs (Persistent organic pollutants): Pesticides, PCB, Dioxines etc.

Heavy Metals and other Chemicals

Most heavy metals are found as trace metal in mines, and emitted from mining activities in varying quantities.

Use of mercury in small-scale mining operations is a problem in several areas of the country.

Cyanide is also released at some mining sites, resulting in environmental and health impacts.

Lead

Heavy metals are found in many different imported products, and they are released to the environment over time because of inappropriate waste disposal methods.

Lead production and lead recycling is a concern is some areas.

Lead still used in paints (2,8 tons has found in year 2010);

Legislations on Health Sector

Reviewing medical production law;

Draft regulation on Hazardous Chemical Management which is in used on Health sector;

NA approving regulation on solid waste;

Decree on chemical waste from health care center;

Common waste treatment

Disposed at landfill

(rudimentary pits at rural

health facilities)

Incinerator (for provincial

and central hospitals)

Discharge untreated waste

with general waste

Strengths

Government shows highly concerns as it becomes immediate and long term issues.

Ministerial regulation is existing in waiting for the development of policy .

Good starting points in Environmental Performance Index : guideline, training, provision of safety boxes, incinerators and follow-up.

Strong partnership with WHO (TA, Piloting, assessment of HC

Chemical Management in Industry

and Commerce sector

12

Chemical Management in Industry and

commerce sector

Industry and Commerce sector is responsible for

import, use and storage of all hazardous chemical

for Industry activities.

The sector has completed some activities such as:

- Regulation on chemical management.

- Draft regulation on hazardous chemical list (

classify in to 3 group)

13

Chemical Management in Industry and commerce sector

Completed translation from English to Lao

on Labelling and Safety data sheet form

Organised some training on chemical

management for user and worker in

Industry sector

Constrain

Lao PDR doesn't have specific Decree or Law and national strategy on Chemical Management yet.

User and worker have less understanding on chemical.

Lack of budget to support training for user

and worker

Agriculture Sector

WHO Class Ib pesticides such as methomyl, dicrotophos and carbofuran are still used in vegetable production. The main environmental pollution problem

The storage and disposal is not safe.

Especially, the disposal of empty pesticide packages in the field is likely to result in environmental pollution.

It is highly recommended that training

on pesticide risk reduction and alternative options for pest control be held for provincial and district staff as well as farmer communities in Province as to reduce the use of highly toxic pesticides and herbicides.

Pesticide mixing and personal protection practices

Spraying and protection behavior

Pesticide Risk Reduction

To ensure that only appropriate types and

quality pesticides are introduced,

To ensure that pesticides are effective when used as recommended,

To minimize effects to human beings and the environment consequent to the application of pesticides and consumer.

Pesticide Risk reduction(Continue)

Severely restricted or banned Toxic pesticides,

Periodical Reviews and short listing of companies as well as WHO II & III class pesticides .

Awareness raising about issues related to agricultural chemicals

Awareness on pesticide impacts on human health and environment.

Public education and awareness raising Public raising: highly hazardous : pesticides such as paraquat and endosulfan, and those identified , through monitoring.

Information Materials e.g. books, monographs and modules…

Importation of pesticide and distribution

Lao PDR does not produce any active ingredients, nor does it formulate any pesticides locally.

All pesticides are imported as formulated products and mainly come from Thailand, Vietnam and China

The main channels for importation of pesticides are:

Private companies that are formally

registered with the commerce authorities.

Smuggling from neighboring countries into Lao PDR by traders or farmers.

Concession and contract farming arrangements.

Pesticide legislation

Since 1992, the Regulation on Management and use of Pesticides was promulgated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), and revised two times, the last one was 2000.

Decree on Pesticide Management and Use.

Main issue

Enforcement of the Regulation is weak and the majority of importation remains unofficial

Long borders make it difficult to control informal importation

Pesticides usage

When there are a lot of insects and diseases, farmers need to put different kinds of pesticides together ( Cocktail).

Farmers usually didn’t follow it says on label.

Problem related to Chemicals Control

Existing law is not mentioned on chemicals control, global harmonization system on classification and labelling of chemicals;

Knowledge and skill in the area of chemicals control is quite limitted;

Consumers are not understand how to use Chemicals safely; Required to strengthen the cooperation and coordination among public and private sectors to effectively implement the chemical management related legislation and programmes.

Current Situation

Public Awareness Raising on Health and Environmental Risks;

Environmental Economic Tools to assess cost-effective to assess the impacts and options to respond.

Medium and long term

Full Inventories;

Strengthen Toxic Wastes Management and Coordination System at the National Level;

Development and Implementation of Toxic Wastes Legislation;

Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening;

Establishment of Collection System for Special Toxic Wastes ;

Promote Environmental Sound Management;

Promote the Use of Cleaner Technology Solutions and

Polluters Pay Principal; Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practices;

Awareness Raising and Public Consultation on how to prevent, handle and dispose toxic wastes;

Curriculum (chemical management/engineering) form the

primary to Uni and capacity building (toxicity, toxicology; and up-gate knowledge (master and PhD );

Chemical classification (to support GHS)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION