Reference Centre for Identification and Control of Chemicals: Role and Place in the National System of Chemical Safety

Abstract

In 2014 Ukraine accepted the OSCE proposal to develop an Integrated Chemical Safety and Security Program in Ukraine (ICSSP) aiming to develop a collaborative framework between the Ukrainian partners, the OSCE and the international partners for an effective and coordinated actions to ensure chemical safety and security. The main goal of the ICSSP program is to improve Ukraine’s ability to prevent, prepare for and respond to inappropriate handling of chemicals.Effective chemical safety will help to increase the level of protection of chemical materials, associated facilities and vehicles. ICSSP also had to ensure the implementation of modern solutions and coordinated approaches to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure in Ukraine. A comprehensive review, conducted as the first step in the implementation of ICSSP, showed that the program should be aimed at introducing national activities in the field of chemical safety by a wide range of national authorities with a focus on the development of legislative and administrative measures for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 in the chemical industry. Realization of the program objectives will provide: — creating a national (regional) Reference Centre for Identification and Control of Chemicals, able to make expert conclusions regarding hazardous chemicals and precursors quickly and reliably; — expanding opportunities to detect chemicals, conduct toxicological studies, including for the purpose of export control and forensic investigations, and the possibility to clarify the nature and characteristics of “unknown” chemicals; — improving capabilities of regional network of chemical analytical laboratories to identify toxic chemicals and ability to conduct joint research, as well as to train laboratory personnel and to exchange good laboratory practices. The National Reference Centre can serve as a model laboratory and national (regional) training platform for the dissemination of knowledge and best practices.It can help to solve regional problems, because the neighbouring countries Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan and even some EU countries also need such assistance. Key Words: chemical safety, Reference Centre, preventive toxicology.