CHEMICAL CONTROL LEGISLATION SHOULD NOT HINDER TRADE

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) -- The need to have chemical control
legislation for health and environment reasons should not be deemed to impede
the free flow of trade, said Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI)
Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said that such regulations should be simple, harmonised and not
incur additional expenses to the cost of doing business in the industry.

Therefore, a government-private sector work plan for the Registration,
Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical (REACH)implementation in
Malaysia has been initiated with MITI, the Chemical Industries Council of
Malaysia (CICM) and other relevant government agencies.

This is to assist the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in complying with
the European Union-REACH regulation and the Globally Harmonised System of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

Muhyiddin's speech was read by Liew Vui Keong, the deputy minister of
MITI when officiating the International Conference on Chemical Control
Legislation and Trade Aspects (ChemCon) Asia 2009 here Tuesday.

He said that the world is increasingly becoming smaller due to globalisation
and what affects the chemical industry in Europe will have a direct and indirect
impact on it in Asia and vice versa.

"Countries are now even more interdependent as evident during this economic
downturn.

"It has been noted that in light of this slowdown, which is affecting
the chemical industry in a big way, it is now more important than ever to help
stimulate recovery in the sector through moblising resources," he said.

He added that Malaysian manufacturers and exporters can agree that those who
comply are at an advantage over those who cannot.

"I am aware that Malaysia does not have laboratories that are certified for
Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).

"In that regard, I would like to inform that as part of the
government-private sector initiative to assist the chemical industries in
complying with the EU-REACH regulation, MITI has approved some funds for SIRIM's
laboratory at the Environment and Bioprocess Technology Centre (EBTC) to acquire
GLP status," he said.

This will enable Malaysian manufacturers and exporters of chemical products
to test their products in a GLP compliant laboratory whereby test results and
chemical testing studies data will be accepted and recognised internationally.

"Malaysia is committed to the implementation of the GHS.

"MITI, being the chair for the National Coordinating Council, will continue
to promote and monitor its implementation which is meant to enhance
competitiveness, reduce the cost of doing business and facilitate international
trade," he said.

He added that in order to assist the SMEs in complying with the chemical
regulations and mandatory standards and requirement, the government through the
Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC), also provides a
Grant Certification and Quality Management System to assist SMEs for adopting
the Responsible Care Programme (RCP).

To date, under the scheme, only one SME had applied for a grant for safety
data sheets (SDSs) and none for adopting the RCP.

He said that in 2008, the total trade in chemicals and chemical products was
valued at RM84.12 billion, an increase of 10.9 percent from previously.

Exports expanded by 10.4 percent, valued at RM40.55 billion and imports
valued at RM43.57 billion increased by 11.5 percent. (US$1=RM3.71)
-- BERNAMA