Project 061(Ifs)*: Sound Management of Chemicals and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia (SEACHEM)

Context

A chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) event, irrespective of origin, can cause significant loss of life, and affect public health and the environment. The origin of the risk can be intentional, accidental or natural. As such, the management of chemicals and waste is a core element of international CBRN safety and security agendas. Chemical production, use and disposal continue to increase worldwide. Chemical manufacturing and processing activities are steadily expanding and increasing. Accompanying this is a rising risk of human exposure to, and potential harm from, chemical exposures.

Whilst essential to prominent trade sectors (from farming to factory-based manufacture) and everyday life (household products), chemicals and their waste can be high-risk products that have the potential to be harmful to public health and the environment, whether through accidental cause or criminal action.

Overall objective

To address any outstanding chemical safety and security issues in areas of legislation/regulation, prevention, detection, preparedness and response, as well as to enhance the sound management of chemicals and their wastes, taking emerging chemical issues into account.

Specific objectives

1. Judicial reinforcement with respect to sound management of chemicals and their wastes;
2. Enhanced capacity for prevention of chemical incidents including both safety and security aspects;
3. Enhanced capacity for the region's mobile detection possibilities and chemical testing laboratories;
4. Measures to enhance the region's preparedness and response capacity to chemical incidents;
5. Measures to enhance the region's recovery capacity after a chemical incident.

Activities

1. Sharing of best practices;
2. Chemical risk assessments;
3. Regional train the trainer system;
4. National train the trainer courses;
5. ISO/IEC 17025 training;
6. Awareness raising sessions;
7. Workshops and seminars.

Achievements

• Conducted regional workshops and training sessions for stakeholders, including government officials, first responders, farmers, industrial cleaning companies, and chemical facilities.
• Developed guidelines, manuals, and pocket guides for chemical management and emergency response.
• Established a network of specialized testing laboratories and quality control systems.
• Contributed to risk assessments and national CBRN chemical emergency response plans for cross-cutting chemical risks.
• Enhanced communication and coordination between sectors and authorities involved in chemical management.
• Enhanced skills and knowledge of personnel involved in chemical management. 
• Assessed and mitigated environmental remediation needs, including cost estimations and lessons learned from previous projects.
• Trained around 1500 delegates in laboratory workshops, and delivered around 100 legal surveys.