CHEMICAL AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT
The Directorate will be led by director and will perform the following functions under Chemical and Environmental Division: –
- To support research and innovation within the Agency by availing testing services of chemicals, chemical products, and environmental samples for the purpose of safeguarding public health and the environment.
- To prepare, implement and review of the Standard Operating Procedures for analysis of chemicals, chemical products, and environmental samples.
- Process registration of chemicals, chemical products, chemical dealer and chemical storage facilities;
- To develop, validate and review analytical methods for analysis of chemicals, chemical products, and environmental laboratories;
- To prepare technical specifications for purchase of laboratory glassware, reference standards, chemicals and reagents, reference books and consumables;
- To participate in Proficiency Testing (PT) Schemes to facilitate accreditation of the analytical methods;
- To conduct regular and emergency inspection, sampling and laboratory analysis of chemicals, chemical products and environmental samples on matters of national or public interest:
- To provide Training and human capacity development on mater related to chemicals, chemical products, and environment laboratories activities;
- To provide consultation,scientific advice and advisory services on matters related to chemicals, chemical products, and environment laboratories activities;
- To carry out Quality Control Monitoring and Surveillance in water and waste water treatment facilities, pollution sources, geological sites and chemical substances; and
- To assess the departmental risk, analysis and implement mitigation measures accordingly.
The Division will perform the following activities: –
- Carry out chemical analysis of water and waste water, sediment, soil, hazardous wastes, pesticides, detergents, disinfectants, chemicals and their products;
- Prepare, implement and review Standard Operating Procedures for chemicals, chemical products and environmental laboratory analysis;
- Develop, validate and review analytical methods of sampling and chemical analysis of environmental samples including drinking water, surface water, waste water, sediment, soil, hazardous wastes, industrial and consumer chemicals and products;
- Implement Quality Management System and laboratory accreditation requirements;
- Develop guidelines and standard procedures for management and disposal of obsolete chemicals and chemical wastes;
- Participate in Proficiency Testing (PT) Schemes to facilitate accreditation of the laboratory analytical methods;
- Provide scientific advice and advisory services on matters related to environmental laboratory activities;
- Conduct applied research on matters related to chemicals and their products, environmental safety, occupational health and safety issues;
- Interpret and review analytical results and prepare reports of laboratory findings/results for use in the court of law or elsewhere;
- Carry out Quality Control Monitoring and surveillance in water and waste water treatment facilities, pollution sources, geological sites and chemical substances;
- Conduct regular and emergency inspection, sampling and chemical laboratory analysis of environmental samples, chemicals and chemical products on matters of national or public interest;
- Prepare technical specifications for purchase of laboratory instruments, chemicals and reagents, reference standards, reference books and consumables; and
- Assess the Environmental Laboratory Section risk, analysis and implement mitigation measures accordingly.
The Division will perform the following activities: –
- Process registration of chemicals, chemical products, chemical dealer and chemical storage facilities;
- Prepare certificates of registration and provisional clearance of chemical dealers;
- Prepare certificates or license of registration for chemicals, chemical products, chemical dealer and chemical storage facilities;
- Prepare, maintain and facilitate publication of a register for chemical producers, importers, exporters, transporters, dealers, waste disposal facilities and all chemicals stating whether registered, provisionally, cleared, restricted or prohibited chemicals;
- Coordinate implementation of the Minamata Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions, Montreal Protocol and Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management;
- Coordinate Development and implementation of chemicals policies, research or programmes nationally and internationally;
- Prepare inspection plans, guidelines and checklist for chemicals, chemical products and chemical laboratories inspection;
- Coordinate or conduct inspection to chemicals producers, importers, exporters, transporters or dealers in any way;
- Coordinate or conduct inspection to chemicals, chemical products and chemical laboratories;
- Coordinate, manage and control the importation, production, transportation, dealing, storage and disposal of chemicals and chemical products;
- Coordinate Emergence Response Committee (ERC) meetings on chemicals;
- Conduct public awareness campaigns on the sound management of chemicals and chemical products;
- Conduct special training and cause to be gazetted chemicals and chemical laboratories inspectors;
- Propose regulations and areas for review on matters related to chemicals, chemical products and chemical laboratories; and
- Monitor the compliance with the provisions of the Industrial and Consumer chemicals regulations, 2014. and Chief Government Chemist Laboratory Agency Act No. 10 of 2011.