Starting from 2006 EU legislation on chemicals has undergone crucial changes due to the introduction of REACH aiming at a better protection of human health and environment. While awareness of those new legal obligations in leading chemical companies seems to be satisfying, there is still a strong need to improve the level of relevant competences and skills among smaller actors and actors with less chemical knowledge in the supply chains. Downstream users (DU) and distributors (D) of chemicals are present in every branch of industry. Free movement of goods (including chemicals) across Europe forces them to fulfill the EU legal standards. They are also lacking funds for chemical safety management (CSM) trainings and the offer of non-commercial courses is insufficient. From the project partners' experience it is assumed that the availability of open CSM trainings is similar on their local markets. The evaluation of REACH and CLP implementation in Poland for ten years leads to the conclusion that either people responsible for chemical safety among DU and also D are insufficiently trained and often lack the knowledge and understanding of the EU legislation in this field. Especially when it comes to skills to classify chemical mixtures and assess the exposure in working environment, they present relatively lower awareness and are left without sufficient legal and educational support. Majority of DU and D declares skills gaps in this field and is willing to participate in easily accessible vocational training concerning CSM. Especially, that consumers of chemicals became more demanding and expect information connected with safety from them. The main project aim is to design and deliver the innovative vocational trainings on the elements of CSM, integrated with the e-learning hub and mobile application, dedicated mainly to employees responsible for CSM among DU and to D of chemicals. The training will help to better understand and obey their legal duties. In order to ensure high quality of the training, all materials and tools will be progressively developed, evaluated and peer-reviewed by consortium of 5 institutions from 4 countries. To ensure the strong cooperation between the world of education and the world of work, the training materials and used tools will be verified based on the feedback from target groups representing DU and D. This exchange of knowledge between education/training institutions and labour market will enable to adapt the training package to the real needs of the enterprises. The proposed thematic scope is very timely and essential due to the latest and coming changes in EU chemical safety legislation. It will enable to gain the knowledge and skills connected with: new classification and labelling of chemical mixtures, new requirements for mixtures safety data sheets, predictive models of exposure assessment for effective risk management, new binding restrictions and authorization on certain chemicals. The detailed scope of training will depend on the real needs of target groups of DU and D. The project aim is supported by the following specific objectives: 1. Enhancing the capabilities of the project partners as to assemble and deliver OSH training courses, approaching the Chemical Safety Management area, targeting downstream users (DU) and distributors (D) of chemicals across four countries. 2. Enhancing the competences in the area of chemical safety management of downstream users (DU) and distributors (D) of chemicals across four countries. 3. Increasing awareness of the relevant professional communities (OSH experts, DU and D), both on the newly enforceable European legislation on Chemical Safety Management (REACH, CLP), and on the project newly created training package. The comprehensive training packages in the form of e-learning hub and mobile application will be continuously and easily accessible for DU and D of chemicals, stakeholders, policy makers and VET teachers. All interested parties will have free of charge access to training materials, forum, resources on chemical safety and other educational tools during the project duration and after it. The VET providers participating as partners in this project will play an important role as they will facilitate exploitation of the training tool beyond the lifetime of the project through adopting it and including it in their regular training schedules given that the tool is proved effective in delivering the desired skills to the targeted population. In the long run, better qualified employees in chemical industry may contribute to increased safety and health of customers that will be offered properly labeled and safer chemical products.
CONTEXT/BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT Since 2006, the EU chemicals legislation has changed significantly. In 2006, Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council (REACH Regulation) was introduced, and two years later, another new EU regulation (Regulation No. 1272/2008), the so-called CLP, entered into force. REACH defines the obligations of a company depending on the role it plays in the supply chain, while CLP - its obligations related to the classification, labeling and packaging of chemicals. There is still a strong need to improve competences and skills among actors in supply chains. The downstream users (DU) and distributors (D) of chemicals, often belonging to SMS, are present in every industry. The free movement of goods (including chemicals) across Europe forces them to meet EU legal standards. They also lack resources for training in chemical safety management (CSM), moreover the offer of non-commercial courses is insufficient. The analysis of educational and training opportunities in CSM in Europe was the first stage of the project. Literature and an online review on the subject showed that while CSM training is available in the EU, most of it is commercial in nature. A survey of DU and D of chemicals in Poland, Germany, Greece and Romania revealed a high demand for free training on the new EU CSM legislation, especially for beginners and intermediate users. Most of the respondents found the practical exercises very useful. OBJECTIVES The strategic aims of the project were to strengthen the competences of the target groups, i.e. DU and D of chemicals in the field of CSM, to increase the awareness of relevant professional circles about the new European legislation on CSM (REACH, CLP regulations), to improve the skills of trainers in developing and conducting CSM training in partner countries. To achieve these long-term goals, the project team have developed a free innovative CSM training package. To ensure high-quality training, all materials and tools were gradually developed, evaluated and verified by a consortium of 5 institutions from 4 countries. NUMBER AND TYPE/PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS The project consortium of 5 institutions from 4 countries (Poland, Romania, Greece, Germany) was established and its members represented European countries with different levels of development of the chemical market and different experience in applying EU regulations. The consortium leader and project coordinator was the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM), Lodz, Poland, while the partners in the project were well-known institutions on the European market as research providers, consultants, VET suppliers and tool developers IT, Lodz University of Technology (TUL), Ökopol Institute, Germany, Romtens Foundation, Romania and Prolepsis Institute, Greece. DESCRIPTION OF UNDERTAKEN ACTIVITIES AND IMPACT ATTAINED As result of the project implementation a comprehensive training package in CSM for all interested parties, easily available and replicated across the EU, has been developed. Detailed information: - training package has been divided into introductory, basic and advanced modules (the modules provide examples to help users understand the complex issues of REACH and CLP regulations and practical exercises); after passing the Basic and Advanced level tests, obtain the appropriate certificates confirming successful completion of the CSM training - Pocket Guide for downstream users and distributors of chemicals has been created (available in an electronic version in 5 languages on ChemSM-HUB, as well as in a paper version at the premises of partner institutions) - Training Pattern for Trainers has been developed (electronic version has been shared on ChemSM-HUB in 5 languages) - glossary of basic concepts and definitions in CSM (on ChemSM-HUB) was created - full texts of consolidated REACH and CLP Regulations were posted on the platform - links to relevant ECHA guides were posted - mobile application has been developed (dedicated to mobiles with Android system) All interested parties including DU and D, policymakers and VET teachers have free access to training materials, chemical safety resources and other educational tools. The VET providers participating as partners in this project play an important role in disseminating the project results as they facilitate the use of the training tools beyond the project duration. LONGER-TERM BENEFITS • Enhancing the trainers' ability to create and conduct CSM trainings for DU and D of chemicals in partners’ countries. • Strengthening the competences in the field of CSM DU and D of chemical substances in chemicals in partners’ countries • Raising the awareness of relevant professional communities (health and safety experts, DU and D) on the new European legislation on CSM (REACH, CLP).