The problem

This project is focused on the creation of legislation to control hazardous materials in Cambodia. Though being a signatory to the Basel Convention, Cambodia currently lacks any laws regarding the importation, transportation, labeling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.

Current Activity

Blacksmith Institute funded and played a major role in coordinating this initiative. With help from Yale University's School of Law and School of Forestry joint program and New York University's Environmental Law Program, the project brought together the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Industry, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry to draft an enforceable law that will prevent unregulated handling, importation and use of hazardous material. The law will serve to prevent and reduce any harm caused by hazardous chemicals to public health and the environment and to assure registration and improve control of importation, production, use and disposal of hazardous chemicals.

This pending hazardous substance legislation is currently up for consideration and ratification by the National Assembly. However, as many laws are in the queue for review, it may take some time before action is taken to ratify it. Passage of the law will be instrumental to Cambodia's efforts to control banned and regulated chemicals and promote enforcement and the imposition of penalties associated with the illegal and harmful use and disposal of toxic substances.

Outcome

With funding from Blacksmith Institute, the Royal Cambodian government formed stakeholder task forces that brought together several government agencies and technical experts to draft two national environmental codes. The first was legislation controlling the management of hazardous materials, and the second was a set of technical guidelines for monitoring urban air quality. Adoption of these codes will make a significant contribution to reducing pollution in Cambodia.