Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170) - Zimbabwe (Ratification: 1998)

Article 6(1) of the Convention. Classification systems. With reference to the comments from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) submitted in 2006, the Government indicates that the Environment Management Act, Chapter 20:27, sections 72, 74 and 75, and the Hazardous Substances Regulations, provide for the classification and labelling of hazardous substances, which consists of four groups and that the labelling is approved by the Environment Management Board. It also notes that, as a complement thereto, pictograms in the form of warning triangles are also applied. The Committee notes, however, that the Government did not provide any further information on the specific criteria for the classification of all chemicals and for assessing the relevance of the information required to determine whether a chemical is hazardous. In additional comments submitted in 2009, the ZCTU submits that the shortcomings of relevant national legislation is, inter alia, a lack of monitoring and enforcement and the fact that the relevant penalties for sanctions are not a deterrent. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on specific criteria for the classification of all chemicals and on procedures of labelling, in law and in practice. With reference to the comments submitted by the ZCTU, the Committee also requests the Government to provide further information on monitoring and enforcement of relevant national legislation, in particular as regards the registration and labelling of chemicals, including the imposition of penalties against violations.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee refers the Government to the comment made this year regarding the application of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155).