The National Authority introduced a user registration scheme for who handle Scheduled Chemicals. If a company/trader is involved in the production, processing, consumption, local transfer/distribution, import and export of chemicals controlled under the Chemical Weapons Convention, a registration with the National Authority for the Implementation of Chemical Weapons Convention is required. A registration is valid for only two years, after that company should apply for renewal.
To assist in obtaining permits for importers/exporters of Scheduled Chemicals, National Authority issue necessary recommendations to the Import and Export Control Department for the import/export of scheduled chemicals. Prior recommendation from National Authority is required to obtain permits form import and export controller.
National Authority provide the technical and expert knowledge to prepare or upgrade Emergency Management Plan for mitigate the chemical accidents and incidents at chemical facilities upon the request of responsible organizations.
Many awareness programmes were conducted on Chemical Weapons Convention and how it affected to industries in last 5 years. And also many awareness courses scheduled to be next year for industries. These programmes introduce Chemical Weapons Convention obligations, familiarize the legislative matters of the Act No 58 of 2007 and discuss any issues faced during the import/export of chemicals.
National Authority conducts many awareness courses on Hazardous Chemical Management. The objective of these programmes are to provide awareness and enhance technical capabilities who handle hazardous chemicals and upgrade health, safety and security measures in a facility for sustainable industrial development.
National Authority conducts many awareness courses on Hazardous Chemical Management. The objective of these programmes are to provide awareness and enhance technical capabilities who handle hazardous chemicals and upgrade health, safety and security measures in a facility for sustainable industrial development.
To achieve a sustainable industrial development safety and security is a salient feature in chemical emergency. Hence every industry and industrial zone must have an emergency plan to meet such emergencies. To fulfill these objectives, National Authority conducts a survey on hazardous chemicals distributors and various industry storages to prevent such accident/incident. Through this survey the places where hazardous chemical substances are used stored or formulated will be identified. An emergency management plan and database should be prepared in order to respond effectively on any occasion of an emergency in any of these industrial facilities/zones in Sri Lanka.
The National Authority has also train officials from Armed forces, Police, Fire brigade, Health sector and Govt. Analyst Department to response chemical emergencies. The participants of these training programs, once they become qualified as the first responders will have a leading role to play. These response personnel are involved in detection, rescue, verification and warning in case of a chemical emergency.
Certain chemicals used in the industry also have uses directly related to the production of chemical weapons. The convention necessitates the monitoring the use of these ‘dual use’ chemicals for their commercial and industrial activity to ascertain that its uses are for peaceful purposes only. The Act for the National Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention was approved by the Sri Lanka Parliament. This Act will enforce the commencement of a Registration Scheme for all the importers and users of the scheduled chemicals and a Permit Scheme for import and export of scheduled chemicals. And also action has been taken with Sri Lanka Customs to assign specific HS Codes for 37 mostly Traded Chemicals.