Need for improvement of Chemical safety in Georgia
On March 30, 2012 a workshop was held on “Reducing the use of hazardous chemicals in Georgia and potential of safe chemicals including non-chemical alternatives” aiming to discuss problems and solutions related to the use of hazardous chemicals and potential of safe chemicals including non-chemical alternatives in Georgia.
The workshop was attended by the representatives of expert groups, non-governmental and governmental organizations, business sector and civil society.
The meeting showed the urgency of the problem of chemical safety in Georgia. The lack of proper legislation and coordination, insufficient capacity of the responsible agencies allow thousands of tons of hazardous chemicals to enter the country that are forbidden elsewhere and that pose a serious risk for the health of the population and the environment. This includes asbestos and pesticides. In addition, the awareness of the population is very low, which leads to misuse of chemicals.
Timely and effective solutions are needed as well as an effective mechanism from the governmental side in order to reduce risks to human health and improve the environmental situation. It is also important to raise public awareness on reducing the use of hazardous chemicals and their replacement with non-chemical alternatives. The workshop will be followed by more meetings, an information campaign and a conference in order to bring this important topic on the agenda of the country within the frame of the project.
Workshop was organized by the non-governmental organizations – The Greens Movement of Georgia/Friends of the Earth-Georgia and Women in Europe for a Common Future – WECF in cooperation with the non-governmental organizations – Rural Communities Development Agency – RCDA and Georgian Ecological Farming Association – SEMA.
The Project is implementing with the financial support of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Quick Start Program Trust Fund.
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