To safeguard GSP Plus status: Pakistan steps up hazardous waste, chemical safety action

LAHORE: Pakistan is intensifying efforts to strengthen chemical safety and hazardous waste management as part of its strategy to safeguard preferential trade access to European markets under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus), officials said on Friday.

A national training workshop, jointly organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), brought together senior government officials, provincial regulators, industry leaders, and environmental experts to chart a path towards compliance with key multilateral environmental agreements.

It focused on aligning Pakistan’s practices with the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, and Minamata Conventions.

A significant portion of the training was dedicated to building capacity on the GHS framework, which promotes safer handling and use of chemicals in industrial processes through improved classification and labelling.

Pakistan’s export-driven economy relies heavily on preferential access to European Union markets.

However, its GSP Plus status is contingent upon compliance with 27 international conventions, including those governing hazardous waste and chemical management.

Any shortcomings in meeting these commitments risk undermining both environmental safeguards and critical trade benefits.

Participants reviewed the National Hazardous Waste Management Policy (2022), the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for chemical classification and labelling, and enforcement mechanisms under provincial environmental frameworks.

Industry representatives explored practical approaches to waste minimisation, adoption of safer alternatives, and the phasing out of hazardous substances.

“This workshop represents a turning point in Pakistan’s efforts to modernise its chemical management practices,” said Ms Nazia Zaib Ali, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) at MoCC&EC. In a key development, Zakya Rubab, National Project Coordinator at MoCC, announced the upcoming launch of Pakistan’s first online portal for obtaining No Objection Certificates for the import of chemicals under the Basel Convention.