Problems and Obstacles Causing Gap of GHS-Based Chemical Safety Management among Household Hazardous Substance Product Enterprises

Abstract

           The Food and Drug Administration  (FDA)  has announced  Ministry of Public Health Notification on Hazard Classification and Communication System of Hazardous Substances under the FDA’s Responsibility of  2015, published in the Government Gazette on 19 March B.E. 2558 (2015), with the transition period of 1 year for single chemical substances and 5 years for chemical mixtures. This Notification for household hazardous substance products was based on GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals) of the United Nations. The household hazardous substance products’ enterprises should be monitored whether they have any problems and obstacles in implementing GHS prior to this Notification’s complete enforcement. Therefore, the objective of   this qualitative research was to analyze problems and obstacles on gap of GHS-based chemical safety management among the entrepreneurs. The research samples comprised 24 entrepreneurs of household hazardous substance products in Bangkok and its vicinity voluntarily selected for focus group discussion on such problems and obstacles. Research instruments verified by 3 experts consisted of: 1) results of situation survey of chemical safety management among such entrepreneurs; and 2) issues on   focus group discussion among the entrepreneurs. Data were analyzed by content analysis.

          The research findings revealed that the problems and obstacles were budget, need of updated training for the personnel responsible for providing GHS-based label, need of knowledge and understanding of laws relevant implementation based on requirements of GHS, lack of expert in GHS implantation, and need of special governmental organization for receiving consultation