Text and photographs by Priscilla Alice Samonte
The Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) had conducted the first inter-regulatory seminar in 2013 much to the appreciation of the industry, the academe, and the regulators themselves who were able to disseminate information regarding the mandates of their respective agencies.
ICP President Dr. Fabian Dayrit opens the two-day inter-regulatory seminar
The regulations, since then, have evolved and on February 16-17, 2016 in celebration of Chemistry Week in our country, the ICP successfully conducted one of the much-awaited and a very relevant seminar entitled – Updates on Philippine Chemical Regulations 2016: An Inter-Regulatory Agency Overview. Speakers from the PRC Board of Chemistry, DENR, PDEA, PNP, DOLE-OSHC, and BOC all came together and provided an overview of their regulatory mandates on chemicals in the Philippines.
The Board of Chemistry Chair, Dr. Dory Resurreccion provided an update on the IRR of the revised Chemistry Law RA 10657, especially on the rules and regulations governing the inspection, appraisal, and licensing of chemical laboratories. She also emphasized the scope of work of chemists and chemical technicians in relation to the other allied courses. “Chemistry is vital to public safety, the national economy and the protection of the environment. It is, therefore, the policy of the State to promote, regulate and protect the professional practice of Chemistry and to ensure the continued development and high international standards of the practice of Chemistry in the Philippines.” Several questions were raised and with the ICP Board, the issues were clarified and recommendations were taken into consideration to be reviewed during the crafting of the board resolutions for the said law.
PDEA Director Helen Maita Reyes (second from right) with ICP board directors Dr. Glenn Alea, Ms. Priscilla Alice Samonte, and Ms. Edna Mijares
The very vibrant Director of the Compliance Service of PDEA, Director Helen Maita Reyes, provided a detailed and very dynamic presentation on the Regulatory Control of the Licit Use of Dangerous Drugs and Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals Substances. She also presented updated Board Regulation No. 1 Series of 2014: Comprehensive Amendments to Board Regulation No. 3 Series 2003, “Comprehensive Guidelines on Importation, Distribution, Manufacture, Prescription, Dispensing and Sale of, and Other Lawful Acts in Connection with Any Dangerous Drugs, Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals and Other Similar or Analogous Substances” identifying the new exemptions and simplifications to the registration process. Indeed, PDEA’s efforts in streamlining their registration procedure had been lauded by all the participants.
Mr. Renato Cruz of DENR-EMB with ICP board directors Ms. Priscilla Alice Samonte and Ms. Edna Mijares
Mr, Renato Cruz, Chief of the Environmental Quality Division of DENR Environment Management Bureau gave a very promising presentation on the online registration to facilitate the mandate of RA 6969, Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990. He also provided an overview on the rules and procedures for the implementation of the globally harmonized system (GHS) of classification and labelling of chemicals in preparation of safety data sheets (SDS) and labelling requirements of toxic chemical substances. The audience were treated on the basic requirements for GHS applications. Finally, Mr. Cruz, also tackled the revisions in the management of hazardous wastes under DAO 2013-22 Revised Procedures and Standards for the Management of Hazardous. He discussed the new haz waste codes and the role of waste generators in the handling of toxic chemicals from CRADLE to GRAVE.
It was unfortunate, that a representative from the PNP-FEO was not present during the seminar, nevertheless, Dr. Fabian Dayrit, lead of the Technical Working Group for the review of the PNP list of regulated chemicals enlightened the audience on the updates of the formation of the IRR for the Rules and Regulations for the Control and Supervision of Importation, Sale and Possession of Chemicals Used as Ingredients in the Manufacture of Explosives and for other purposes (RA 8294, EO 552) focusing on the categorization matrix duly established by the technical experts in collaboration with the PNP-FEO. Although not all concerns could be addressed during the forum, the ICP committed to have the concerns of the institutions brought to PNP attention by March 7, 2016 – a move, valued by the participants who, in the majority have been significantly affected by the said regulations.
Ms. Rosalie Fajilan, Senior Hygienist of DOLE-OSHC presented the DOLE Department Order 136-14 Guidelines for the Implementation of GHS in Chemical safety program in the Workplace, which clarified on the use of GHS and how it should be implemented in the different institutions. Ms. Fajilan delved into the guidelines to ensure not only compliance to the law but also implementing safety protocols in the workplace.
Dr. Jesus Llorando of the BOC with ICP board directors Dr. Fabian Dayrit and Ms. Edna Mijares
Dr. Jesus Garcia Llorando, a well-respected speaker and expert BOC Customs examiner gave the audience the basics behind the implementation of the Importation Regulations. His presentation was well received especially his candid and straightforward responses to each of the questions given by the audience.
Lastly, Mr. Jonathan Chong of Du Pont Far East, Inc. shared industry best practices on regulatory compliance and provided the audience the basic in implementing Product Stewardship highlighting sustainability since Product Stewardship is a principle directing all those involved in the life cycle of a product to take shared responsibility for reducing the health and environmental impacts that result from the production, use and end-of-life management of the product.
At the end of the day, more than 200 participants from government, academe, and industry took away much needed information on the different regulatory agency requirements as well as the three basic rules in regulatory compliance – collaboration, cooperation, and courtesy.
List of uploaded presentations:
BOC Presentation (pdf / 5.5 MB)
GHS-DAO Presentation (pdf / 3.8 MB)
GHS-DOLE Presentation (pdf / 15 MB)
PDEA Presentation (pdf / 6.7 MB)
Categorization of PNP Controlled Chemicals (pdf / 720 kB)