Turkey
Thank you Chair.
Distinguished delegates,
Turkey?s global commitments through the UN system, its national program for EU accession and its
development priorities provide a strong basis to build sustainable development goals for the future.
Turkey prepared its national report to the Eighteenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable
Development which presents up-to-date information about the progress in Chemicals. We hope this
report will be available to all parties through the Secretariat?s Web Page.
Madam Chair,
Chemicals have important role in economic growth in Turkey like in other developing countries.
Demand for chemical products has increased 6 times and production of chemical has tripled since
1990.
In recent years, it has become even more important to make risk assessments by determining the
usage amounts and hazard characteristics of chemicals in order to strengthen preventive measures
in chemicals management. In this context, the Regulation on the Inventory and Control of Chemicals
includes provisions relating to the assessment of the risks of chemicals on human health and
environment.
Under the Regulation on the Control of Major Industrial Accidents, the enterprises operating in
Turkey are categorized according to the characteristics and quantities of chemicals they keep at their
facilities. Accordingly, risk analysis and risk assessment are now mandatory for the facilities
categorized as high-risk facilities. However, the implementation of systems for the prevention of
major industrial accidents and for emergency preparedness and response need to be
strengthened.
Turkey has invested in specialized laboratories for air pollution, water quality, wastewater control,
soil pollution control, environmental microbiology, noise control, cleaning products, lab or hygiene
and disinfectant materials/products for the last two decades.
Monitoring of workforce health is also an important policy area for Turkey. For that purpose, the
Labor Inspection Regulation requires both the identification of hazardous substances and processes
that pose risks at work places and performing risk assessments to prevent these hazards.
The process of the adoption of the EU Environmental Acquis into Turkish Legislation has provided an
up-to-date review of Turkish Chemicals legislation. This ongoing process has facilitated the
formulation and adoption on of strengthened national legislation and policies on chemicals.
Distinguished Delegates,
Challenges in chemicals management in Turkey are similar to those experienced by the other
countries in the region. Responsibilities and duties in chemicals management are shared by various
governmental organizations which require more engagement of multiple stakeholders and need for
a system that provides continuous information sharing.
In this regard, information sharing among responsible governmental organizations could be
improved. Turkey believes that citizens have right to access information about chemicals as
consumers and as potential victims of hazardous chemical accidents. To this effect, arrangements
have been made regarding the classification, packaging and labeling of chemicals in Turkey.
Moreover, a List of High Quantity Substances and a Priority List is being prepared and will be made
public. The producers and importers of the products qualified as hazardous are obliged to provide
detailed information about the chemical composition and hazardous characteristics of the product
to the National Toxin Center.
Education and training of industry, workforce and general public on chemicals and hazardous
substances is another important policy area for Turkey. Many guidelines, books, manuals and service
centers have been put in service for this purpose.
Madam Chair,
In concluding, I would like to emphasize that Turkey gives high priority to the fight against
International Illegal Trafficking of Hazardous Chemicals. Although commodities and vehicles are
controlled and inspected at borders, we believe this issue needs strengthened international cooperative
action.
I thank you.
Distinguished delegates,
Turkey?s global commitments through the UN system, its national program for EU accession and its
development priorities provide a strong basis to build sustainable development goals for the future.
Turkey prepared its national report to the Eighteenth Session of the Commission on Sustainable
Development which presents up-to-date information about the progress in Chemicals. We hope this
report will be available to all parties through the Secretariat?s Web Page.
Madam Chair,
Chemicals have important role in economic growth in Turkey like in other developing countries.
Demand for chemical products has increased 6 times and production of chemical has tripled since
1990.
In recent years, it has become even more important to make risk assessments by determining the
usage amounts and hazard characteristics of chemicals in order to strengthen preventive measures
in chemicals management. In this context, the Regulation on the Inventory and Control of Chemicals
includes provisions relating to the assessment of the risks of chemicals on human health and
environment.
Under the Regulation on the Control of Major Industrial Accidents, the enterprises operating in
Turkey are categorized according to the characteristics and quantities of chemicals they keep at their
facilities. Accordingly, risk analysis and risk assessment are now mandatory for the facilities
categorized as high-risk facilities. However, the implementation of systems for the prevention of
major industrial accidents and for emergency preparedness and response need to be
strengthened.
Turkey has invested in specialized laboratories for air pollution, water quality, wastewater control,
soil pollution control, environmental microbiology, noise control, cleaning products, lab or hygiene
and disinfectant materials/products for the last two decades.
Monitoring of workforce health is also an important policy area for Turkey. For that purpose, the
Labor Inspection Regulation requires both the identification of hazardous substances and processes
that pose risks at work places and performing risk assessments to prevent these hazards.
The process of the adoption of the EU Environmental Acquis into Turkish Legislation has provided an
up-to-date review of Turkish Chemicals legislation. This ongoing process has facilitated the
formulation and adoption on of strengthened national legislation and policies on chemicals.
Distinguished Delegates,
Challenges in chemicals management in Turkey are similar to those experienced by the other
countries in the region. Responsibilities and duties in chemicals management are shared by various
governmental organizations which require more engagement of multiple stakeholders and need for
a system that provides continuous information sharing.
In this regard, information sharing among responsible governmental organizations could be
improved. Turkey believes that citizens have right to access information about chemicals as
consumers and as potential victims of hazardous chemical accidents. To this effect, arrangements
have been made regarding the classification, packaging and labeling of chemicals in Turkey.
Moreover, a List of High Quantity Substances and a Priority List is being prepared and will be made
public. The producers and importers of the products qualified as hazardous are obliged to provide
detailed information about the chemical composition and hazardous characteristics of the product
to the National Toxin Center.
Education and training of industry, workforce and general public on chemicals and hazardous
substances is another important policy area for Turkey. Many guidelines, books, manuals and service
centers have been put in service for this purpose.
Madam Chair,
In concluding, I would like to emphasize that Turkey gives high priority to the fight against
International Illegal Trafficking of Hazardous Chemicals. Although commodities and vehicles are
controlled and inspected at borders, we believe this issue needs strengthened international cooperative
action.
I thank you.
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