An invitation-only seminar saw a select audience of some 30 participants receive an update on the latest science and regulatory issues on manganese and manganese substances, last week in Kuala Lumpur. Participants were representatives from the Malaysian Government’s Department of Environment, Sarawak’s Regional Corridor Development Authority, Swinburne University of Technology (Sarawak) as well as local environmental consultants, occupational health experts and industry executives.
Monitored by IMnI’s Regulatory Affairs Committee Chairwoman, Cathy Reichardt (Assmang, S. Africa), the morning session included presentations on the local legislative framework governing environmental control, issues concerning the health surveillance of manganese industry workers, the latest knowledge and data demonstrating that manganese is not a CMR substance (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction), a focus on the science supporting the unclassified status on FeMn slags and the different classifications of the 12 Mn-based substances registered under EU-REACH. Speakers included Anne Tremblay (IMnI), Brian Chong (Chemsain), Riedawaan Pillay (HSEC), Doreen McGough (IMnI) and Keven Harlow (IMnI).
The afternoon session focussed on an interactive, round-table discussion on four key questions concerning future research needs, support to policy makers, community issues and general advocacy.
The meeting was the first of its kind for the IMnI in presenting specifically to policy makers and regulators whilst building a foundation for advocacy going forward. Fundamental to this was the availability of the research results, regulatory experience and REACH data all accumulated from industry’s investment in the IMnI’s OHES 5-year plan and REACH Consortium activities.
The seminar program and presentations are available here
For more information, also view IMnI OHES Newsletter # 6