Reports call for strengthening of chemical management regulations in Cambodia

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Phnom Penh: Several key reports on the current situation regarding management of chemicals in Cambodia will be presented to the Ministry of Environment during a ceremony on Thursday, 18 February 2010. The event will be held at Cambodiana Hotel, and you are cordially invited to cover it.

HE Khieu Muth, Secretary of State of Ministry of Environment, will preside over this event.

The reports discuss challenges posed by the proliferation and use of chemicals to the overall development in Cambodia. Challenges include a widespread lack of regulatory frameworks, enforcement capacity, awareness among farmers about health hazards caused by improper use of chemicals in farming, and lack of occupational safety and health regulations for workers in handling chemical substances in their workplace. Not responding to these challenges can lead to high costs to be borne by the society in the future.

Along with the findings there are also recommendations for Cambodia to strengthen its institutional capacity and legislative framework to better manage proliferation and use of chemicals in order to protect the health of its citizens, the ecosystem, and advance its potentials of economic development.

The reports are produced as part of the Sound Management of Chemicals project supported by UNDP in Cambodia. As the project comes to a close, the purpose of the reports is to inform policy makers and public on the situation of chemicals in the country and also identify key priorities on how to mainstream the findings into the development plans of key sectors that predominantly use chemicals such as agriculture, health and industry.