NATIONAL PROFILE TO ASSESS

THE CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT IN SLOVENIA

GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA

Intersectoral Committee on the Management of Dangerous Chemicals

December 1997

NOTE: The English version has not been revised by a linguist expert.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Basic information on the country

Chapter 2: Production, import, export and use of chemicals

Chapter 3: Priority problems related to the industry, import, export and use of chemicals

Chapter 4: Legal documents and non-legislative mechanisms of chemical management

Chapter 5: The ministries, offices, agencies and other institutions associated with chemicals

Chapter 6: Appropriate activities of the industry, public interest groups and scientific research sector

Chapter 7: Interdepartmental Commission and coordination mechanisms

Chapter 8: Data accessibility and use

Chapter 9: Technical infrastructure

Chapter 10: International links

Chapter 11: Awareness/understanding of workers and the public

Chapter 12: Sources available to the state and necessary sources for management of chemicals

Chapter 13: Disaster relief in accidents involving hazardous materials

Annexes

INTRODUCTION

(Note: the present version of the national profile is in general valid for the period up to the beginning of 1997 only. After that the Intersectoral Committee had sessions on a regular monthly basis and its work resulted in a number of smaller or bigger achievements, which are not described here yet. For details about the progress you can contact the coordinator of the committee: Darja Boštjan_i_, B. SC. Coordinator of the Intersectoral Committee on the Management of Dangerous Chemicals, Ministry of Health, Štefanova 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Tel: (386)-61-1786052 (direct); Fax: (386)-61-1231781, e-mail: darja.bostjancic@gov.si )

The beginnings of intersectoral cooperation on dangerous chemicals go back to 1994. Between April and June 1994, the Ministry of Health as the initiator of broad intersectoral cooperation on dangerous chemicals held five ad-hoc intersectoral meetings of state secretaries and advisers from 8 ministries and representatives of the Slovene Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In July 1996 all the ministries with jurisdiction over dangerous chemicals submitted replies to the following questions:

• The jurisdiction of the ministry in the area of dangerous chemicals.

• Additions to the list of legislation governing dangerous chemicals.

• A list of EU directives on dangerous chemicals that are within the jurisdiction of the ministry and plans for their integration into Slovene legislation (framework timing).

• The narrow area of dangerous chemicals with which it works (brief description).

• A list of the ministry's employees working directly on issues in any way associated with dangerous chemicals and the extent of their work with dangerous chemicals.

• Departmental and intersectoral working groups/committees on dangerous chemicals with which the ministry works and a short description of the tasks.

• Intersectoral cooperation and agreements on dangerous chemicals undertaken by the ministry (passed or in procedure).

• International cooperation and international agreements on dangerous chemicals involving the ministry (passed or in procedure).

• The institutions at the ministry that are in any way associated with dangerous chemicals, their working areas and activities (brief description).

• The institutions outside the ministry known to be working with dangerous chemicals or with which the ministry is working.

• A list of written materials, magazines, databases and other data sources at the ministry on dangerous chemicals and libraries/persons where these sources are kept.

• Problems related to dangerous chemicals to which the member would like to draw attention and any suggestions for resolving the problem; other important information on dangerous chemicals that the member would like to share with the committee.

Copies of the replies were distributed among all departments and provide elementary information on the activities of individual governmental departments in charge of part of the life cycle of dangerous chemicals.

This is considered as the preliminary mini national profile. It is interesting that we began with this activities selfinitiatively and even before the strong international recommendations were issued.

With the Government's Resolution on Establishment the Committee, No. 530-03/96-2/1-8 of 25 July 1996, an Intersectoral Commission on the Management of Dangerous Chemicals was founded (hereinafter: ICMDC or Committee). Its functions on the basis of Agenda 21, Chapter 19, which was signed by all the countries (including Slovenia) participating at the 1992 Conference on the Environment and Development (Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro.

The members of the committee come from different departments that work in any of the stages of the life cycle of dangerous chemicals. These are:

• full members, appointed to the Committee by the Government. They comprise the representatives of 10 ministries with jurisdiction in the area of dangerous chemicals and a representative of the Slovene Chamber of Commerce.

• associate members:

  • the scientific research department,

  • the unions representing workers working with dangerous chemicals,

  • the NGOs working with dangerous chemicals,

  • other departments working in various stages of the life cycle of dangerous chemicals and not covered by other departments.

The associate members work with the Committee at their own request and are admitted to the Committee by a resolution. The associate members enjoy the same rights and obligations as full members, except for the right to vote on matters that directly affect the division of jurisdiction among governmental departments.

The coordinating ministry is the Ministry of Health and within it a person was nominated by the Government as a national coordinator. All departments share responsibility for the fulfilment of the Committee's objectives, and as a general rule, the Committee's sessions are organized and run by a different department each time, with the aim of committing each one of them on an equal basis, and thus of stimulating them and speeding up the work. The session is chaired by a member of the presiding department.

The duties of the Committee include:

• coordination of the work of governmental and nongovernmental sectors responsible or involved in the management of chemical safety in Slovenia,

• preparation of national profile and national programme on intergrated chemicals management,

• preparation of the umbrella act on chemicals that will provide a legal basis for the implementation of all EU directives from the field and also for good laboratory practice,

• preparation of executive regulations governing good laboratory practice.

The points of departure for broad intersectoral cooperation on dangerous chemicals/chemicals by integrating governmental and non-governmental sectors:

Fulfilling endorsed international obligations:

Agenda 21, which was endorsed by all countries (including Slovenia) present at the Earth Summit in Rio in June 1992, vests all the governments with the responsibility of carrying out the demands set forward by the action plan. Chapter 19 of the Agenda, which deals with chemicals, covers the following 6 programme areas:

• Chemical risk evaluation.

• International single classification and labeling of chemicals.

• Exchange of information on chemicals and chemical risk.

• Programmes for reducing the risk.

• Consolidation of the abilities and capacities of individual countries for safe management of chemicals.

• Prevention of illegal international trade in chemicals.

The same demands were repeated and amended in April 1994 at the Conference on Chemical Safety, which was held in Stockholm, and at the interconference sessions in March 1995 in Bruges, Belgium, and March 1996 in Canberra, Australia.

The recommendation most frequently repeated at these meetings and in numerous other international bodies operating in this area is that regulation of the area and of the assignments deriving from Chapter 19 of Agenda 21 requires an interdisciplinary approach involving all governmental and non-governmental departments with jurisdiction over or operating in any part of the chemicals' life cycle. If we want to act systematically we first need to assess within the interdisciplinary framework the situation in legislation, supervision and practice and then determine the objectives and propose priorities and programmes for fulfilling the set objectives. Only in such a way can we achieve a rapid and coordinated progression to a higher level in chemical safety within an individual country as well as in global terms, and encourage sustainable development.

On the one hand, the area is regulated by legislation and effective supervision thereof, which is run through laboratories and inspection services, and on the other by non-legislative mechanisms, such as commercial incentives and voluntary work of non-governmental organizations. For example, with the introduction of the Responsible Care international programme the Slovene chemical industry has already been dealt with.

Harmonization of the the legislation to EU Directives

Apart from that of joining the EU, the principal objective of the harmonization with the directives is to remove non-tariff obstacles in trade. According to statistics, Slovenia trades most with some EU members (Germany, Austria, Italy), which is why approximation to their systems is certainly inevitable for the Slovene economy. Since approximation to the EU directives is quite a complicated and demanding process, any duplication of work needs to be prevented, and this can only be done through extensive and close intersectoral cooperation.

The Globe Slovenia Resolution

The Resolution was adopted by selected deputies to the National Assembly on 6 October 1996. It also derives from Agenda 21 and states that the building of the national strategy of chemical safety and regulation of this area requires an interdisciplinary approach as well as governmental and non-governmental involvement, where it refers to the scientific research center, NGOs and the general public. Considering the Resolution, the National Assembly and the Government should immediately secure the funds required for reviewing the situation, preparation of the national profile and then for the national programme on chemical safety.

Everyday need:

Ease the work and improve the information flow between all parties working with dangerous chemicals, both inside and outside the state administration.

Obligations deriving from the memorandum signed by Slovenia with UNITAR (UN Institute for Training and Research).

Slovenia requested, through the UNITAR coordinator, assistance in the preparation of a situation review and of the national profile for the management of dangerous chemicals and signed a memorandum with the UNITAR international body. In compliance with the UNITAR demands, the profile needs to be formulated at the intersectoral level by involving all competent governmental and non-governmental sides and then presenting them at the International Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCII), which is to be held in Ottawa in early February 1997.

THE WORK OF ICMDC

Interdisciplinary cooperation after the founding of ICMDC:

What was effective intersectoral cooperation even before the founding intensified after the founding of the Committee at three regular (post-founding) interdisciplinary sessions.

1st session: 23 October 1996, presiding sector: the Ministry of Defense

2nd session: 21 November 1996, presiding sector: the Ministry of Internal Affairs,

3rd session: 18 December 1996, presiding sector: the scientific research department.

(Note: after the preparation of these version of a profile regular monthly sessions have been convened; the minutes are kept in the archives of the coordinator)

Adoption of the Committee's Standing Orders:

At its 3rd session the Committee adopted the Standing Orders which guarantee equal participation of governmental and non-governmental departments, thereby taking into account the principles of democracy and international recommendations as well as the Globe Slovenia Resolution. The committee is now composed of the representatives of 10 ministries with jurisdiction over the area of dangerous chemicals and the Government Information Center, the representatives of the Slovene Chamber of Commerce, the scientific-research department, the unions and NGOs.

An important new feature contained in ICMDC Standing Orders is that the organizer and the presiding department is different each time, which proved to be a very effective practice. It stimulates every one of them and speeds up the work as well as the information flow. Each organizer at the session in its own organization gives a description of its work relating to dangerous chemicals, which helps those present to create a more complete picture of the events.

The Committee has 16 members, but often some deputies and others who are interested in the subject are present and the number increases up to 20. There is considerable interest in participation, especially since individual departments wish to avoid difficulties in the search for information, in their general day-to-day work and avoid unnecessary duplication of the work, where much time and energy is lost. Of course, in the beginning such intersectoral cooperation requires a lot of energy as the objectives usually cannot be reached overnight. In any case, the members are overloaded with their regular work, which is why we fear a decline in the initial enthusiasm over intersectoral cooperation and that the work, which started to progress so well, will slow down or even halt completely.

The umbrella chemicals act:

In compliance with Article 4 of Government Resolution No. 530-03/96-271-8 of 25 July 1996, an umbrella chemicals act was drafted. Since the law is of an interdisciplinary and intersectoral nature, all ICMDC members gave comments and it passed a wide intersectoral discussion. The intersectoral approach through ICMDC helped a lot and the act was quickly passed to the Parliament where it is now awaiting second reading. In parallel, many of the priority executive regulations in line with EU directives are in preparation and intensive drafting of new regulations is under way. We started with two new extensive regulations on classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous chemicals and preparations in line with EU directives and after that an interesting implementational workshop with foreign lecturers was organized. A new regulation on banned/restricted chemicals and PIC procedure and another on GLP are being drafted. With bilateral technical support of Switzerland, we are also introducing GLP into our laboratories.

Preparation of the national profile and national programme on integrated chemicals management:

The priority assignment of the Committee was to formulate a national profile for the management of chemicals. This is a continuous developmental process, depending on changes arising and new approaches.

In the preparation of the national profile the Committee follows the instruction prepared by UNITAR/IOMC (A guidance Document for Preparing a National profile to Assess the National Infrastructure for Management of Chemicals, UNITAR/IOMC, 1996). A translation of the document, which is 76 pages long and divided into 12 chapters, was prepared with the assistance of the PHARE programme and serves as a project concept in the preparation of the profile. The text contains an integral plan for an assessment of the situation and preparation of the profile, and a table for data entries.

The national profile for the management of dangerous chemicals will not cover the following substances, preparations and products:

• pharmaceutical preparations/products for human and veterinary use in their end form,

• drugs,

• cosmetics,

• food and animal feed, unless negative effects of dangerous chemicals on their nutritional value are concerned,

• radioactive substances, preparations and products,

• waste material, unless it is waste of dangerous chemicals,

• chemical weapons (special subcommittee - see Point 6 of the Report)

• asbestos (special subcommittee - see Point 7 of the Report).

Pursuant to Resolution 6 from the 1st session of ICMDC the responsibility for preparing the national profile was apportioned among the members by chapters as follows:

Chapter 1: Basic information on the country - Ministry of Economic Affairs,

Chapter 2: Production, import, export and use of chemicals - Chamber of Commerce,

Chapter 3: Priority problems, related to the industry, import, export and use of chemicals - Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning,

Chapter 4: Legal documents and non-legislative mechanisms of chemical management - Ministry of Health

Chapter 5: The ministries, offices, agencies and other institutions associated with chemicals - Ministry of Health together with the Ministry of Transport and Communication,

Chapter 6: Appropriate activities of the industry, public interest groups and scientific research sector - the scientific research department,

Chapter 7: Intersectoral Committee and coordination mechanisms - Ministry of Internal Affairs,

Chapter 8: Data accessibility and use - Ministry of Defense,

Chapter 9: Technical infrastructure - Ministry of Science and Technology,

Chapter 10: International links - Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Chapter 11: Awareness/comprehension of workers and the public - Ministry of Labor, Family and Social Affairs,

Chapter 12: Sources available to the state and necessary sources for the management of chemicals - Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food.

Addition 1: Glossary - NGOs

Addition 2: National reports and documents available, dealing with various aspects of chemical management - Ministry of Health together with Governmental Office for Informatics

Addition 3: Names and addresses of key persons - trade unions

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

At its first session ICMDC discussed the CWC and decided that a survey of the demands and consequences brought about by the Convention as well as everything that is necessary for the ratification, need to be prepared. Also, a working body composed of ICMDC members from relevant sectors and representatives of the producers of chemicals was established as an ICMDC sub-committee. Their intensive work resulted in very quick ratification of the convention and after that a proposal of the law on the implementation of the Convention which is awaiting a parliamentry procedure, was drafted.

Asbestos-related problems:

In order to approach the issue of asbestos at the national level and to appropriately respond to the initiatives for bilateral cooperation put forward by Italy, the members at the 1st session decided that a special subcommittee for asbestos needs to be formed at ICMDC. The subcommittee prepared a new regulation related to bans of asbestos fibres and the labelling in line with European Union. They are also leading the preparation of a special national profile for asbestos (situation review, definition of the golasand proposal of a programme for achieving the goals).

Plans for developing an infonet for chemical safety

On 27 September 1996 a session was held on the construction of a network for information dissemination as part of the broad intersectoral cooperation (the departments represented were the Government Center for Informatics, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, NGOs, Chamber of Commerce and Industry a scientific research department).

The resolutions made at the session were as follows:

• In the 1998 budget the Government Information center will set aside funds for starting a five-year project on this subject.

• Standardized software is to be used to make a list of written material on chemicals located at the individual government and non-governmental departments (those without libraries), either the one being prepared by the Chamber of Commerce or the one available the at Ljubljana Regional Environmental Center.

In view of the integration with the EU it is advisable for Slovenia to prepare a list of all existing chemicals on the Slovene market, which will show clearly whether there are chemicals on the Slovene market that are not on the EINECS list. The missing chemicals will upon integration be added to this EU list of existing chemicals. All chemicals that will not be included on the list in time will be considered new in Europe and will, in compliance with the directives, have to be ratified by the EU, which will place a serious financial burden on our economy.

The exchange of information and reports from domestic and international meetings on chemical safety

Because the exchange of information and reports from domestic and international meetings has been extremely unsatisfactory so far, ICMDC decided that everyone who goes to the meetings must report verbally or in writing at the next session, as well as present the written material and other documents acquired. Until the end of 1996, the members reported on 26 international and domestic meetings.

Good laboratory practice:

In connection with the introduction of good laboratory practice, Slovenia established contacts with the OECD and Switzerland. With the OECD Slovenia applied for participation in the Mutual Acceptance of Data programme while Switzerland offered Slovenia assistance in the introduction of good laboratory practice. On 27 and 28 January 1997 an intersectoral delegation from Slovenia is to visit Switzerland where it will study the operating principles at the Swiss GLP Office and in two laboratories working under these principles. After that at the end of 1997, two of the Slovene laboratories were preliminarily inspected by GLP inspectors from Switzerland to see if they comply with the provisions. At the same time the potential Slovene GLP inspectors were present and trained.

At the 2nd session the intersectoral committee also adopted a resolution that the OECD instructions on good laboratory practice, which have already been translated, need to be studied from a professional aspect, and that an intersectoral working group should harmonize the terms and write a glossary for this field.

PREFACE

Chemicals are nowadays present in all segments of human life in all parts of their life cycle - from production, treatment, processing, distribution, storing, transport and use, to chemical waste management and disposal. We are here mainly with industrial chemicals, agricultural pesticides, biocides, and consumer chemical products. They make life possible or at least easier but, nevertheless, their impact can be harmful because larger and larger quantities of chemicals in use and their potential misuse can represent a risk to human health and the environment. It is on us to bear this in mind and to take all the necessary preventive measures if we want to remain on the safe side. A threat which should not be overlooked is that in general, even on global scale, we do not know yet, or not enough, about the toxicological and ecotoxicological properties of chemicals, therefore their effects can only be assumed to some extent. Only for a small number of chemicals the majority of their potential effects are known. These are mostly the ones that have been subject to thorough research because of the severe consequences occuring in practice. Many of the mistakes made can fortunately be rectified but some can not and after acute or prolonged exposure lead to a short- or long-term catastrophe on the level of individual human beings, smaller or bigger part of the population or in the environment. In this regard Slovenia is especially sensitive, because it is geographically and hydro-geologically very diverse. Furthermore, a great part of the territory is karstic with interconnected underground drinking water resources, which means that the pollution at one part of the country could endanger many other parts.

It has been recognized that an appropriate level of chemical safety can only be reached by a joint action of all governmental and non-governmental stakeholders involved. This means that measures for appropriate management of chemicals risks and for ensuring sustainable development must be taken with a concerted stepwise approach at all levels, including individual. In line with international recommendations and according to our own need, the Intersectoral Committee on the Management of Dangerous Chemicals (ICMDC) was established by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia in summer 1996. To facilitate the information exchange and to avoid duplication of work which can cause a loss of already very limited financial and manpower resources, it began to work as a central coordinatory, advisory and facilitating body with the function of a catalyst. The work done in these months has shown that in Slovenia in this field many things still have to be put in order, while some of them we only have to give a final touch to. To begin with rebuiding and upgrading of the system, first an assessment of the situation (a national profile) had to be prepared. Like a living organism, the chemical safety field is constantly developing in every country, therefore the document should periodically be revised and updated, additional pieces of the mosaic are to be added. In the countries in transition to the market economy such as Slovenia, which is also associated to EU, changing of the situation is extremely rapid. The present version of the national profile was drafted before IFCS II in Ottawa in February 1997. We should underline that it is just a surface snap - a shot of that moment and that in many cases it is neather a detailed nor an up-to-date picture anymore. In spite of this, the Committee decided to publish it because it presents the character of the country and the attitudes of the sectors involved, which are not changing so quickly.

The National profile had served as a basis for the identification of potential priorities which were then set at the National Priority Setting Workshop in November 1997. According to the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, within the framework of a two-year pilot project, the Intersectoral Committee is going to prepare a national programme for integrated chemicals management. Although Slovenia has rich experience with the preparation of a national programme for environment protection, the approach in this field will be different - more detailed and integrated, and instead of unisectoral, a multisectoral approach will be taken. Again, wide cooperation will be needed and at the same time bi- or multilateral international support will be appreciated. We are very honored that Slovenia is one of the four pilot countries selected on the global scale for the preparation of this programme and we strongly believe that we will be able to fulfill the expectations.

When developing the profile, the members of ICMDC with their enthusiastic voluntary work and the slogan ‘learning by doing’ wanted to find a way out of the magic circle, for which I would like to thank them very much. Special thanks are addressed to the editor Mr. Davor Lovin_i_. For their guidance, understanding and support, we are also very grateful to our partner UNITAR/IOMC running the pilot project, and to Dr. Achim Halpaap.

The most important outcome of the preparation of the national profile was to have learned to work together and to have surpassed to the largest extent possible the fragmentary work of the past.

Darja Boštjan_i_, B. Sc.

Coordinator of the Committee

LIST OF AUTHORS

CHAPTER 1: NATIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.1. Geographical, natural and demographic characteristics

The Republic of Slovenia is a medium-developed small country with a total population of just under 2 million inhabitants and 20.256 square kilometers in size (approximately half the size of Switzerland). It neighbors with Italy on the west, Austria in the north, Hungary on the east and Croatia in the south.

Geographically, Slovenia is situated in Central Europe; it lies on the crossing from Central Europa to Mediterranean, or to South and South-eastern Europe, on the southern side of the Eastern Alps and on the north-eastern slope of the Dinaric Alps. Orograficaly Slovenia is on the crossing from the Eastern Alps to Pannonia, to Dinaric mountains and to Adriatic valley. Geologically, the Alps in the north east belong to the central Alps and consist mainly of magmatic and metamorphic rock, but do not reach the height of the upper forest border (Pohorje 1543m ). The Alps in north and west of Slovenia belong to the southern limestone Alps. They consist mainly of limestone and dolomites and are structured with deep valleys. That is why the mountain groupes Karavanke, Julijske and Kamniško-Savinjske Alps (one tenth of the territory of RS) have characteristics of high mountains. The highest peak is Triglav (2864 m), the symbol of Slovenia.

Alps in the south and east are surrounded by lower pre-Alpine mountains, leading to the Posavsko highland along the river Sava, and to the lowland of Pannonia.

The forthills of the Alps are cut with valleys, the largest of which is around the capital of Slovenia - Ljubljana. These areas are economically well devloped and densely populated (Ljubljana 279.000 inhabitants).

The Alps massive lowers to the east, reaching subpannonic Slovenia are characterized by valleys with fertile soil and developed agriculture. For that part is typical landscape with hills and wide Wallis, where is on the prolific flatness the most fruitful soil. Subpanonic Slovenija has the best chances for agriculture.

The highest peak of the Dinaric highland in south of Slovenia is Notranjski Sne_nik (1797 m), which is just a little higher than forest border). Notranjsko and western Dolenjsko are dominatet by high karst plateau, where smaller towns and industrial centers developed.

Along the 60 km long air line you can find the Julian Alps, Karst, Adriatic Sea, lined highland, classic karst and worm sea, what is rear in the world.

The littoral submediterraniean part of Slovenia consists mainly of karst plateau, mountains and hills, which stretch also in Slovenian part of peninsula Istra. On the 46.6 km long sea coast lies the port of Koper, providing the shortest route from the south to Central Europe.

Despite of its mountain relief, most of the country is at the relatively low level. 53.6% of the territorry is bellow 500 m, while only 2% is above 1600 m (the forest border). Although only one sixth of the land is flat, arround 75 % of the population live in these areas. One third of the country is covered by lower hills <8under 200 m high) and one half by higher hills and high plateaus.

The climate is mostly similar to that of Central Europe (alpine, subpannonic). Summers are relatively warm (everage temperature in July: 22o C), while winters are cold, in particular in valleys and basins, because of temperature inversion (average January temp. 0 to -4o ). There is more sunshine at the seaside (up to 2300 h per year, average temp. in July 24o C).

The mountain barrier of high Dinaric plateaus and the Julian Alps receives 2000 - 3000 mm of rain per year, and even up to 3500 mm. The loweest amount of rain falls near the coast (900 mm) and near the Hungarian border (800 mm).

In southern Slovenia there is most rain falls in October and November, while in the north and east in one of the summer months (usually June).

Nine tenths of the territory of Slovenia lies in Podonavje (the river basin of affluents of rivers Donava - Mura, Drava and Sava). The river Sava (with 221 km) is the longest, covering half of the territory of RS. The longest river of Adriatic waters is the river So_a (in RS 96 km). The most known lakes are Bled (1.4km2) and Bohinj (3,3 km2), from karst lakes there is periodic Cerkniško lake (with max. 24 km2).

Four tenths of the territory of RS consist of carbonate waterpass stones with karst water flow. This is very important from the point of view of chemical safety. Pollution at one part of Slovenia could cause catastrophe elsewhere. Especially endangered is sub-surface water, which in most cases, is the source of drinking water.

Forests which covered only 37% of the land in 1875, spread to half of the country in 1986. In the mountains they cover 2/3 to 3/4 of the land. Fields and gardens take up only 12% of the territoy.

The growth of population is slow, characterized by low birth and death rates. The birth factor is just 1,34 child per woman, and families consist on average of 3.1 persons. 90% of inhabitants are of Slovenian nationality. The Italian and Hungarian minority are 1% of the population, and have constitutionally guaranteed rights and in their own media. Over 80% of population is of Catholic religion. Approximately 50% of the population live in towns. The population density is around 100 inhabitants per km2.

1.2 Political/geographic Structure of the Country

The Republic of Slovenia is a country with a democratically elected head of state (President) and Parliament. It has a coalition government and the Prime Minister is elected, upon the proposal of the President, by Parliament.

Slovenia is a uniform country, administratively divided into 147 municipalities headed by mayors and municipal councils. While the provinces and regions have not been legally defined yet, some of the data on the economy is currently being collected in twelve regions.

State intervention in local self-government is executed through government administrative units or branches, organized in individual municipalities or, organized as a single unit covering several small municipalities together. The administrative units deal, primarily, with matters concerning internal affairs, defense, health and environmental and physical planning.

The Republic of Slovenia is inhabited by, apart from the Slovenes, also two ethnic minorities, namely, by the Italians living in the coastal region of the Slovene Istria, and the Hungarians living in Prekmurje along the border with Hungary.

1.3 Industrial and Agricultural Sectors

As already stated, Slovenia is a medium-industrially developed country, whose industry and mining contribute 28.4% of the GDP (GDP is almost 13.000 USD per capita). Because of its small domestic market, the manufacturing industry and food-processing industry are, in terms of trade, heavily oriented towards the developed export markets to which we export more than half the total production. The manufacturing industry has, in recent years, been undergoing the process of transition of ownership and technological modernization, aimed at promptly covering the gap between our economy and that of developed European countries. The movement to the market oriented economy results in dynamic growth of the economy. Slovenia is an associate member of EU since 10 June 1996. The majority of the 47000 private companies, registered till end of 1995 are competitive also abroad. Major trade partners of Slovenia are Germany, Croatia, Italy, France and Austria. Over 75% of exports are machines, transport equipment and other industrial products. Slovenia imports more than it exports. The average family (3.1 members) spends 31% of income for food, drinks and tobacco, 18% for rent, 12.4% for transport and communications, 21.3% for petrol and energy, 8,6% for clothes and shoes.

The development of the agricultural sector greatly depends on the territorial and demographic features of a country. The mountainous character of a considerable part of Slovenia poses great problems in the introduction of modern, high yield agricultural production. The contribution of the agricultural sector to the GDP is, ipso facto, a modest 4.3%.

The national currency is tolar, consisting of 100 stotins, and is fully convertible abroad.

The road network is dense, but its average quality and growing traffic present a serious problem; transport of toxic chemicals, specially transit, is intensive and represent potential and high risk. Slovenia was already in the past the crossing point of the European trade ways from north to south from east to west. By the year 2000 499 km of the highway will be built in addition to the existing 180 km.

The Slovenian railway network is part of the European network.

Two international airports (Ljubljana and Maribor) links Slovenia with the world by air. There are several smaller recreational airports.

Considering all the natural beauties of Slovenia, tourism does not explicit all the possibilities. The preaviling turist activities are mountaineering, skiing, health resort tourism (near hot mineral water springs) and seaside tourism . Slovenia has 30 natural parks and state parks and richness of world famous underground caves. Some of them are included in the world natural heritage. Till today they preserved the richness in different biological areas, which classifies it among few leading countries in the world. In addition to that it must be mentioned that any chemical accident could in the moment destroy this state and cause serious damage or long lasting recover age.

Slovenia has 275 research centers with more than 7000 researchers. At the two universities (Ljubljana and Maribor) 6000 students graduate on average every year. There are 6 daily newspapers, 748 other newspapers and magazines, theaters, museums and orcesters.

For the communication with the world Slovenia uses conventional and mobile telephone lines, 100 post offices, 7% of Slovenia uses Internet. Every third inhabitant has a car, every fourth a telephone and approximatelly every tenth a PC.

Table 1.A: Overview of the Industrial and Agricultural Sectors

1This would include all manufacturing, production, formulation, assembly and related facilities

Table 1.B: Structure of the Manufacturing/Agricultural Sector

Table 1.C: Breakdown of Agricultural Production by Regions

Table 1.C.1: Agricultural Production

STOCK BREEDING

Other Information

There are 99,990 people permanently employed in the agricultural and forestry sector and, occasionally, another 136,614 workers are employed in these activities.

The educational structure of the permanent employees is as follows:

Table 1.D: Breakdown of Industrial Production by Regions

Table 1.E: Industrial Employment by Major Economic Sectors

1 ISIC: International Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities, OECD

1.4. Comments

Essential facts in connection with chemical safety:

• Four tenths of the territory of RS consists of carbonate waterpass stones with karst water flow, which is very important for chemical safety: pollution on one part of the country could, because of the underground water flow, cause catastrophy also elsewhere. Epecially endangered is subsurface water, whis in most cases is a source of drinking water.

• Slovenia is relatively densely populated.

• Nine tenths of territory of Slovenia lies in river basins of the affluents of the rivers Danube, Mura, Drava and Sava. The river Sava with 221 km is the longest one in thge country running aceross half of the territory of RS. The longest river of Adriatic waters is So_a (in RS 96 km). Because some rivers cross the border, either entering to Slovenia or exiting, pollution can spread across the border.

• Fields and gardens take up just 12% of the territory, but are more intensively cultivated, the usage of plant protection products is significant. If we know that these fields lie on the water throughout valleys and basins, we can conclude that the danger for pollution with pesticides is significant. In the north and east of Slovenia, where agriculture is most represented, most rain falls in one month in the summer (usually in June), when most of the chemical plant protection are used. That’s why flushing in under surface water on the water throughput basis is more present.

• State intervention in local self-government is executed through government administrative units or branches, organized in individual municipalities or, as a single unit covering several small municipalities. The administrative units deal, primarily, with matters concerning internal affairs, defense, health and environmental and physical planning. In the field of chemical safety, the local smallness and distance can be partly the cause of slowness in resolving problems.

• The movement to market-oriented economy results in dynamic growth of the economy, and in encreased number of medium and small companies. In general this means poorer knowledge about appropriate handling with chemicals, which directly leads to a lower level of chemical safety.

• The road network is dense, but its average quality and the growing traffic present a serious problem; transport of dangerous chemicals, especially transit, is intensive and represents potential and high risk. Slovenia was already in the past crossing point of the European trade ways from north to south, and from east to west. In addition, the major road connections run over important water resorts. Because of karst subsurface water connections, each accident could mean additional danger for pollution of larger dimensions. This could also result from a larger chemical accident in industry.

• The Slovenian railway network is part of the European network, but the redirection of the majority of transport of dangerous chemicals on railway would not solve the problem, because most of the rails run along rivers.

• Slovenia has 30 national parks and a richness of world famous underground caves. Some of them are included in the world natural heritage. Till today their richness in different biological areas, has been preserved better then in most other parts of the world. However, any chemical accident could in a moment destroy this and cause serious damage with long lasting consequences.

CHAPTER 2: CHEMICAL PRODUCTION, IMPORT, EXPORT AND USE

The purpose of this chapter is to provide basic information about the production, import, export and use of chemicals in Slovenia.

2.1 Chemical Production, Import and Export

Data on chemical production, import, export and use in Slovenia are provided in tables 2.A and 2.B.

The Data relate to the year 1995 and are taken from publications of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, except data for the petroleum products, which are taken from the Statistical yearbook of the Energy Subsection of the Republic of Slovenia, 1995, issued by the Ministry of Economic Affairs ("Statisti_ni letopis energetskega gospodarstva RS, 1995"),.

Pesticides: production data include the numbers 0118200012 to 0118200352 of the nomenclature of industrial products, and import - export data include the tariff numbers 3808 of the custom nomenclature (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 73/96).

Fertilizers: production data include the numbers 0118200362 to 0118200562 of the nomenclature of industrial products, and import - export data include the custom tariff numbers 3101-3105.

Industrial chemicals: production data include all numbers of the branch 0118 - basic chemical production, and import - export data include the custom tariff numbers, starting with 28 and 29; in both cases without pesticides and fertilizers.

Consumer chemicals: production data include all products of the branch 0119 (processing of chemical products) and 0129 (processing of rubber), and import - export data include the custom tariff numbers starting with 30-40.

Table 2.A: Chemical Production and Trade (1995)

The first ten countries, from which most of chemicals were imported in 1995, are: Germany, Italy, Austria, Croatia, France, Switzerland, Hungary, Netherlands, Great Britain and Belgium.

The first ten countries to which in the same year we exported most of the chemicals, are: Croatia, Italy, Germany, Russian Federation, Austria, Poland, Macedonia, Czech Republic, USA and Hungary.

2.2 Chemical Use by Categories

Table 2.B: Chemical Use by Categories (1995)

The chemical use by categories was calculated according to the formula: domestic production + import - export.

Source: see 2.1

Table 2.C: Waste Production (1993)

2.3 Hazardous wastes

In 1993 approx. 60.000 tons of hazardous wastes was generated in Slovenia. The greatest share was represented by wastes of acids, hydroxides and concentrates (38%), followed by wastes from the production of mineral oils (21%), metal wastes (14%), and mineral wastes (11%). Other wastes represent less than 10% of the total quantity. Data by categories are represented in table 2 C.

5.000 to 6.000 tons of hazardous wastes was exported in 1994, which represents approx. 10% of the annual waste production. The main share was represented (around 80%) by residues and waste from mineral oil processing and storage. In 1995 approx. 2000 tons of hazardous wastes was exported. The main share was represented by wastes from the production of mineral oils (48%) and waste organic solvents, paints and varnishes (44%).

There is an annual import of approx. 20.000 tons of waste lead accumulators intended to be recycled. Import and export of hazardous wastes in 1995 is presented in Table 2D.

Hazardous wastes are regulated by the Environmental Protection Act (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 32/93), the Regulation on handling with special wastes, which contain hazardous materials, (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 20/86, 4/89, 39/96) and Regulation on import, export and transit of hazardous waste, which determines the conditions for the import, export and transit of hazardous wastes (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 39/96, 45/96, 1/97).

Table 2.D. Import and Export of wastes (1995)

No.	Code	Type of Waste	Export (kg)	Import (kg)
1	35 302	Lead	0	22.124.000
2	53 501	Pharmaceuticals with expired date of use	55.600	0
3	53 502	Wastes from pharmaceutical production	57.900	0
4	54 102	Old waste oils	130.000	0
5	54 107	Chlorinated transformer oils	66.456	0
6	54 401	Synthetic cooling and lubricating agents	129.000	0
7	54 408	Mixtures of oils and water	230.000	0
8	54 703	Sludges from oil separators	400.780	0
9	55 220	Mixtures of solvents, containing halogen	4.174	0
10	55 370	Mixtures of non - halogenated solvents	846.570	0
11	55 502	Old paints, varnishes and lacquers	15.560	0
12	55 503	Sludges from paints, varnishes and lacquers	16.480	0
13	57 000	PVC sludges	33.440	0
		TOTAL	1.985.960	22.124.000

Sources:

Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning

The Record of special wastes for the Republic of Slovenia, Faculty of Natural Science and Technology - Department of Chemical Education and Information Technology, March 1995.

2.4. Comments

• Chemicals imports are greater than the production and exports.

• For better and easier trade it is important to ajust our legislation to that of the European Union.

• A number of chemical facilities are located on environmentally questionable locations.

• Use of chemicals is high but the level of management with chemicals , in particular in medium-size and small companies is low .

• Use of household chemicals is very high and responsible for about 80% of causes of poisoning in the country. There is a great need for increased awareness of the public in this regard.

• Pesticides are available almost to everybody and their use is very difficult to control. The situation is similar in the case of fertilizers. There is a great need for improving public awareness and educating the farmers.

• A special problem is packing, labeling and data on the safety sheets. They are not in line with European procedures and the data sheets are often incomplete. Regulation of chemicals and administrative procedures are new activities in Slovenia which need further assistance.

• For good chemicals handling control, inspectors should be employed and trained.

• Chemical wastes are a serious problem, especially unused and unwanted chemicals as well as waste chemicals packages. Legislation is in preparation, but awareness of the problem is very low chemical wastes represent a serious threat to the environment and health of the public employed.

CHAPTER 3:

PRIORITY CONCERNS RELATED TO CHEMICAL PRODUCTION, IMPORT, EXPORT AND USE

The chapter provides an overview of the nature of problems associated with chemical production, trade and use and, to the extent known, the chemicals or the categories of chemicals causing concerns

3.1. Environmental Profile Related to Chemicals Import, Production, and Use

According to the Ministry of the Enviroment and Physical Planning the basic environmental problems in Slovenia are:

• Quality of the air

• Treatment of waste

• Quality of water and wastewater treatment

• Loss of bilogical diversity

• Threats to eco-systems and natural heritage

• Climate changes and thinning of the ozone layer

• Acidification

• Degradation of forests

• Disasters in the environment

• Soil pollution and degradation

• Urban stress

• Use of land and natural resources

• Chemical substances dangerous to the environment

QUALITY OF THE AIR

Despite the fact that the level of air quality in Slovenia has improved in recent years, air pollution is one of the basic environmental problems which need to be addressed as soon as possible. The surrounding areas of coal-fired power stations, and during the winter also of larger towns, are every year further burdened with SO2. The immediate vicinity of busy roads is the area which suffers most from pollution with NOX. Towns and areas close to industrial facilities which emit solid particles are polluted with dust. The tropospheric ozone (O3) and other photochemical oxidants are most problematic during periods of solar radiation. Production of electrical power is the main cause of emissions of SO2 and CO2, while traffic is the main cause of emissions of MOX and vapouring organic compunds (VOC). The emission of lead has increased owing to the growing consumption of petrol; the consumption of CFC's, which are harmful to the stratospheric ozone layer, however, is decreasing. The drafting of a programme of measures in the area of international activities, regulations in the areas of liquid fuels and traffic, renovation of the facilities for production of power, reductions in the level of air pollution due to industrial sources and measures at a local level (transfer to better fuels, establishment of gas and heat supply systems) would contribute to the improvement in air quality in accordance with applicable international criteria.

TREATMENT OF WASTE

The quantity of waste is growing, and along with it the number of difficulties related to the treatment of waste. Reduction of emissions into the air and water from industrial premises would result in larger quantities of dangerous substances and solid waste. A significant part of the industrial activity has not appropriately addressed the problem of dangerous and special waste; coal-fired power stations generate large quantities of slag and ashes; construction waste did not constitute a special problem in the past, while the new law on construction anticipates a strong increase in the quantities of construction waste; in the area of agriculture the problems of compost and sediments still remain and the quantities of town waste are rapidly increasing. The new technologies of treatment of waste must find new ways to tackle the increasing quantities of waste, the quality of this waste being lower and lower. The majority of waste sites will be filled up in less than five years. Unregulated waste sites are one of the largest problems, so that waste sites must be renovated to ensure the protection of the soil and water against pollution, possibly requiring a considerable amount of funds. The export of waste is increasing, while by joining the Basel Convention on the Control of Transport of Dangerous Waste across National Borders, Slovenia has imposed strict international obligations in this area. The above facts classify the issue of treatment of waste among the environmental problems which have a high priority in Slovenia.

QUALITY OF WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Numerous human activities seriously threaten the quality of the water environment. The quality of surface waters in Slovenia has improved since 1990, the improvement being lower in the quality of underground water and springs. In some regions underground water is burdened with increased values of nitrates and pesticides. The quality of drinking water is on average satisfactory, whereas in individual supply regions certain substances have emerged which are harmful to people's health. The quality of water in lakes and in the sea is not satisfactory. The treatment of waste is not at an appropriate level, which may have additional negative influence on the environment (possible pollution of the soil and underground water). Wastewater treatment plants deal with only half of the total quantity of wastewater, and their treatment is mostly mechanical. Slovenia is a signatory to a number of inter-governmental agreements on the joint tackling of issues related to international waters, including the conventions on cooperation in the protection and sustainable exploitation of the Danube and its tributaries (1994). Slovenia has also ratified the Convention on Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution and documents related to this Convention, while preparations are under way for accession to the Helsinki Convention on Protection and Use of International Waters.

CLIMATE CHANGES AND THINNING OF THE OZONE LAYER

Due to the increase in the emissions of CO2, and some other compounds (methane, N2O, CFC, etc), which is the result of human activites all around the world, particularly the use of fossil fuels, the problem of the greenhouse effect is becoming increasingly serious since it may cause negative climatic changes of global dimensions. Climate changes may also be caused by the emission of compounds (chlorine and bromine compounds in the form of CFC's and halogens, nitrogen oxides, etc.) which thin the stratospehrical ozone layer, which has a negative influence on the health of people, eco-systems and environment across the entire world. Slovenia has ratified the Convention on Long-Distance Air Pollution (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 9/92), implemented the initial requirements of the first protocol to the Convention and started to implement the second Sulphur Protocol. It has also ratified the Vienna Convention on Protection of the Ozone Layer (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 9/92), the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Thin the Ozone Layer (and the London amendments to this protocol) and signed the Convention on Climate Changes in Rio, which ranks Slovenia among the countries which jointly address the problem of air pollution. The conclusion of the Nitrogen Protocol and the Protocol on Vapouring Organic Compounds (VOC) is in the course of preparation.

ACIDIFICATION

Emitted primary pollutants (such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammoniac, etc.), which are mainly the result of the use of fossil fuels, remain in the atmosphere for several days and have long-distance effects. While they are in the atmosphere they chemically turn into acids. Upon their contact with the surface, these acid substances have negative influences primarily on plants, surface water and the soil, and threaten the eco-systems and the health of living creatures. The entire process is called acidification. International care for the prevention and elimination of negative consequences of acidification is manifested in the Convention on Trans-Border Long-Distance Air Pollution, which Slovenia has already ratified and, through specific protocols (e.g. the Sulphur Protocol) is already implementing.

DEGRADATION OF FORESTS

The level of damage to Slovenian forests due to air pollution (mainly due to the exposure to SO2 and acidification) is considerably high, particularly in the case of conifers (fir trees, pine trees). Natural disasters contribute to the overall damage to forests, which in general is on the increase. A considerable threat, particularly in the Karst region, comes from forest fires. The population of game has not adjusted to the natural capacity of forests. The increase in the number of bark beetles represents a serious problem in dry and warm years. The forests are attacked by different diseases, while they are also affected by economically inappropriate use and decreased investment in their recovery and maintenance. In addition to a number of other provisions, international conventions and measures at all levels, the Law on Forests adopted in 1994 forms the basis for gradual recovery of Slovenian forests.

DISASTERS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

The increasing economic activity related to production, transport and distribution of chemicals and fuels, i.e. substances which threaten the health of people and burden the eco-systems, means a permanent danger of disasters (discharges of dangerous substances in watercourses and underground water, emissions of harmful substances into the air, inappropriate handling with dangerous and nuclear waste, transport of fuels, dangerous substances and waste, etc). Slovenia has ratified the Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-Border Transport and Depositing of Dangerous Substances, and with the implementation of this Convention it is reducing the danger of disasters related to dangerous substances. Slovenia will soon also sign and ratify the Helsinki Convention on Trans-Border Influences of Industrial Disasters. Disasters in the environment are also caused by numerous challenges of the weather, which are the consequence of diverse geographical and climatic conditions and of the number of irrational interventions into the vulnerable natural system.

SOIL POLLUTION AND DEGRADATION

Industry is one of the largest sources of soil pollution in Slovenia, other important sources being: densely-populated regions, hogh daily labour migration, traffic and intense agriculture. Potential and actual pollutants of the soil are inappropriate and insufficient sewage systems and the insufficient number of wastewater treatment plants. Degradation of the soil is caused by numerous harmful interventions into the environment, which reduce the stability of the soil and erosion of land. With its inappropriate activity, humankind is destroying the natural stability of the soil and causes or accelerates the negative erosive operation of natural forces. The polluted and degraded soil strongly reduces the quality and extent of cultivation land, as well as the develpoment of other activities, which makes the introduction of measures at different levels increasingly necessary. Table 3.A provides an overview and description of the problem areas. A list of potential problem areas, which will serve as a starting point is provided in the left column of Table 3.B.

Table 3.A: Description of Problem Areas

Table 3.B: Priority Concerns Related to Chemicals

1 L-Local, R-Regional, N-National; 2 L-Low, M-Medium, H-High

4 National Environmental Priority Programme provides relative ranking from 1 to 5 being faced by the country. 1 is the highest priority problem and priority fields are:

• Water, Groundwater

• Surface waters, Sea water

• Waste

• Biodiversity

• Air, Health

3.2. General findings

The state of individual component parts of the environment has not changed greatly in comparison with 1990. The quality of the surface waters and air has improved somewhat, but on the other hand, the quality of ground water has declined in certain areas. The handling of municipal and industrial waste is still unsolved. In the last few years some waste disposal sites have been modernized or modernization is underway, but the majority of waste disposal sites are unsuitable and will be filled up within a few years.

The data collected prove that the basic factors determining changes in the environment are the decrease of physical production and environmental protection policies. The upgrading of the quality of surface water, can mainly be attributed to decreasing physical production (shut-downs of some larger polluters); the improvement of air could mainly be ascribed to the program for improving the quality of air (increased rates of gasification and desulphurisation).

Analysis of the processes showes that increased pressure on the environment is the consequence of the following factors:

• the revival of economy threatens to bring about the pollution patterns existed before the period of economic crisis, unless corresponding steps are taken;
• the new owners of capital are trying to obtain bigger profits at the expense of the environment;environmental goals are subordinated to other goals, above all to short-term (social and other) interests; and
• foreign investors are trying to bring in "dirty" technologies.

On the other hand, other factors can be counted on which, despite the expected growth of economy, will decrease pressure on the environment. These are:

• adapting exporting industries (especially those branches which produce end products) to EU environmental standards;
• implementation of rehabilitation programs on the basis of "ecological reserves" during the process of the ownership transformation of companies;
• upgrading legal and economic environmental protection instruments prescribed by the Environmental Protection Act and other documents; and
• acceptance and realization of waste handling strategies.

3.3. Findings by areas

AIR

The general quality of the air in Slovenia has improved over recent years. Pollution with sulfur dioxide (SO2) has most notably decreased, especially in cities, where it had been decreasing since 1977, but even more so after 1989. On the other hand no decrease has been observed, near power plants. From 1980, which stands as a reference year, until 1993, the net emission of sulfur dioxide in Slovenia deversed by around 22% but it should be emphasized, that according to the protocol it should have by 30%.

Air pollution with nitrogen oxides is most severe in the direct vicinity of roads with much traffic and is increasing. Because of the scarce distribution of measurement locations, some of them being inappropriate for such measurements, there were few concentrations that exceeded the guidelines. In 1990 and 1991, the emission of NOx decreased due to the decline of traffic and industrial production, but has been rapidly increasing since. In comparison with 1987, the net emission of NOx in 1994 was by about 6% higher. The NOx reduction protocol requires the maintenance of NOx emissions at the 1987 level.

Power production contributes most to SO2 emissions (81%), mobile sources to the emission of Ox (66%), and power production to the emission of CO2 (47%).

Higher gasoline consumption has also caused greater lead emissions in the last years. Motor traffic is the main cause of emissions of volatile organic compounds that produce photochemical oxidants (NMVOC), but industrial sources also contribute a large part. The use of CFCs was only 22% of the amount used in 1986.

During summer, ozone concentrations at all five measuring locations exceeded the guidelines almost every day. High ozone concentrations have a negative effect on people and plants. Large amounts of ozone come into Slovenia with transboundary air pollution, but the monitoring network is not sufficient for defining the extent of ozone pollution.

WATER

In the last few years emissions into water have reduced, especially those caused by industrial processes. The reason for this is in the declining industrial production, technology transformation, and the enforcement of control. Emissions from domestic wastewater and some other activities (agriculture) are at the same level. Because of this, the quality of surface waters has improved, while there is no noticeable improvement in the quality of groundwater. The main groundwater contaminators are still pesticides and their products after degradation (Dravsko Plain, Prekmursko Plain, lower Savinjska Valley, Bolska Valley). Other important contaminants are nitrates (the whole of Dravsko Plain, most of Ptujsko, Mursko, Prekmursko, Krško Plain, lower Savinjska Valley and Bolska Valley). At individual locations the presence of halogenated organic solvents, heavy metals and phenol has been noted.

The quality of water sources depends on their surroundings. Karst springs are among the most endangered. Because a large part of Slovenia is on karst land, many of the springs are already polluted. In comparison with karst springs, alpine springs are much less polluted. The quality of the coastal sea is not satisfactory. Because of its natural characteristics it is very sensitive to pollution. The largest burden comes from the land with influxes of polluted flows and untreated sources. Occasionally, chiefly at the beaches from Debeli rti_ to Ankaran, in the Ri_ana mouth and around the Izola area, the sanitary quality of the sea water deteriorates. At most monitoring stations the presence of chemical compounds with poorly understood negative or toxic effects was found.

SOIL

The major soil polluter in Slovenia is industry, although densely settled areas, strong daily migration (traffic) and intense agriculture are also important. In Slovenia data concerning the contamination of soil exists only for individual areas and/or communities. All areas are less polluted in comparison with the Celje municipality. The soils are prevalently contaminated with lead and less with other heavy metals and fluorides. In soils under intensive agricultural use (fields, permanent plantations) pesticide residues have been found.

WASTE

848,000 tonnes of municipal, 25,169 of hazardous and 420,000 tonnes of special waste were produced in Slovenia in 1993. The proportion of hazardous and special waste generated by industry in the total amount of waste has decreased.

The main difficulties regarding waste management in Slovenia are: industry: a large part of industrial activities has not adequately attended to final treatment processes of hazardous and special waste; energy: fossil fuel power plants produce large amounts of ash and slag; construction: construction waste has not been a problem in the past, a recent construction resurgence however allows us to predict a rapid increase of this amount; agriculture: the problem of slurry and solid animal manure remains unresolved; trade and consumption: the amount of municipal waste is growing rapidly.

Slovenia produces over 400 kilograms of municipal waste per year per person. In 1994, 75 percent of the population had a regular waste collection service (in 1987, 64 percent). There are 53 landfill areas, intended mostly for municipal waste disposal. In the period from 1991 to 1994, the clean-ups of 18 sites still in use were initiated. In five years or sooner most landfill capacities will be reached, while 12 landfill areas still have capacities for 10 or more years. The landfill areas are relatively small when compared with the size of their population background (only 2 are intended for landfilling waste produced by more than 100,000 people, and 5 for waste produced by 50,000 to 100,000 people).

Hazardous and special waste management has not changed greatly. Disposal of these types in repositories and storage by companies almost the only option for many. Recently there has been increasing interest in the export of some types of waste, but these only amount to a small percentage of the total waste production.

The development of hazardous waste treatment services or, respectively, the amount of collected waste in the period from 1990 to 1994 is notable. In 1995, 33 companies were registered in the field of waste treatment (only four in 1991).

The amount of waste disposed of on improper waste sites is estimated to be around 500,000 cubic meters. There are between 2000 to 3000 sites containing 100 to 10,000 cubic meters of waste. In areas accessible by vehicles, there are one to two improper waste sites per square kilometer, each containing at least 10 cubic meters of waste. There are around 10 million cubic meters of waste on small, improper waste sites and at least 500 filled karst caves in Slovenia.

Waste export increased between 1991 and 1994. In 1994 between 5000 and 6000 tonnes of hazardous waste were exported. This however is less than 10 percent of the amount of waste produced annually. After Slovenia signed the Basle Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal, it took on duties regarding the control of waste movement procedures in international waste transport. The Ministry of the Environment and Physical Planning began to introduce these obligations in 1994.

Despite a tradition in the field of industrial re-use of specific materials instead of raw materials, the extent of this production has declined in Slovenia over the last years.

DRINKING WATER

Slovenia is relatively rich concerning its water sources. The main supply source of high quality drinking water is groundwater and karst water. Drinking water reserves are 50,605 liters per second (the 1988 situation).

The drinking water quality in Slovenia is, on average, satisfactory. In some areas, however, it contains too many substances with negative health effects. Groundwater contamination with nitrates is present at Dravsko, Apaško, Mursko and partially Mengeško Plain and in the Savinjska Valley. In a three-year period (1991 to 1993), physical and chemical analyses results indicated that the quality of drinking water is declining, particularly in large water-supply systems that supply a large number of people.

FOOD

Studies caution that our food production industry does not ensure the standard quality of food.

HEALTH

Pollution can have a significant influence on the number of illnesses and unhealthy conditions. The largest problem in Slovenia is atmospheric pollution. Most of the population is exposed to the effects of classic pollutants.

Integrated data on morbidity and/or mortality caused by air pollution are not gathered systematically. Research studies have been made in areas with the most critical atmospheric pollution (for example Zasavje, and Celje).

AGRICULTURE

In Slovenia there were 156,549 agricultural households in 1991, which is 24.4 percent of all households. Agricultural land accounts for 866,000 hectares or 42.8% of the total land area in Slovenia. The proportion of agriculture in the gross national product reached 4.5 % in 1992. Among the chosen indicators of environmental pressures is the construction of 315 kilometers of highways which will demand around 1500 hectares of agricultural land. Out of this around 79% of land on plains is classified as falling into category I. The use of agrochemicals decreased by 37% in the period from 1989 to 1993. The use of commercial fertilizers is, in comparison with international data, not too high.

Systematic rural planning and agricultural land protection is included within the CRPOV program (Integrated Rural Development and Village Restoration), which was introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in 1991. The different landscape characteristics of Slovenia are being protected and cared for through special activities. The CRPOV program also includes contents and measures from the field of environmental protection.

Decrees concerning agriculture which will influence the improvement of the environment in agricultural areas are being prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

ECONOMY

Pollution from industrial sources is decreasing, while atmospheric pollution caused by traffic is increasing despite the decline in the level of transport activities. A larger proportion of pollution decline from industry (excluding energy production) is due to the decline in production. A particular part of the pollution decrease is the result of the introduction of industry restructuring. Pollution with SO2 and CO2 decreased notably in 1993 in comparison with 1990. Export industry carries 74% of the final responsibility for polluting the environment by waste production, 41% by SO2 and 82.5% by wastewater seepage into soils. Manufacturing industry is the main polluter among export industries. According to model evaluations it carries 69% of the final responsibility for polluting the environment by waste production, 32% by SO2 and 75% by industrial wastewater seepage to soils. Among the tertiary activity export, the environmental impact comes from transport (around 30 % of tertiary activity export). Investments in the environment have almoust been stagnating since 1990. In 1990 they were 0.26% of the gross national product, in 1991 0.44%, and in 1992 0.81% of the gross national product. Environmental expenditure in 1993 amounted to about a third (32%) of the investment expenditure. The largest proportion of funds for environmental purposes was spent on air 46.5%) and waste removal (27%). Most environmental investments were made in electric power production (44%). The proportion of investments for the protection of the environment in the 1992 budget amounted to 0.17 of the GNP, in 1993 0.15% and in 1994 0.10% (the estimate for 1995 is 0.11 %). In 1993, total environmental protection expenditure amounted to only 0.6% of the GNP (in developed countries this proportion is between 1.5 and 4%). The pollution pattern of Slovenia's economy up until today indicates a high level of environmental pollution considering to its economic efficiency. SO2 emissions in Slovenia are 14.6 grams per each GNP dollar (Greece 5.8, Spain 5.3, Germany 0.7, the Netherlands 0.6). A correspondingly unfavorable relationship exists for NOx and CO2 emissions.

ENERGY

All stages in the energy production cycle (extraction, processing, transport, and use) have environmental impacts. The production of electricity in Slovenia causes around 80 % of total SO2 emissions and large quantities of ashes.

In the field of primary energy production, the use of coal is decreasing and the use of gas is increasing.

The proportion of final energy consumption in industry is decreasing. In transport, total energy consumption is increasing (although the rail transport proportion is decreasing). The proportion of other types of final energy consumption is also increasing.

TRANSPORT

Transport accounts for 66 and 26 % of the total NOx and CO2 emissions, respectively, in Slovenia. CO2 emissions increased by 76 % in the period from 1971 to 1989. 685,000 vehicles were registered in Slovenia in 1993, 92 percent of these being passenger cars. The motorization rate is 3.1 inhabitants per motorized vehicle (32 passenger cars per 100 inhabitants; OECD countries average 53). The highway density was 0.10 kilometers per 1000 inhabitants (Austria 0.19, Italy 0.12, Germany 0.14).

COMMUNAL SERVICES

The state of water supply and sewage management is not satisfactory. These services are not well organized, financial problems have occurred, and the extent of investments is poor. Due to this state, negative environmental impacts are present.

Drinking water treatment is inadecuate. A relatively low number of sewage networks have water treatment plants, and even these are mostly ineffective. Household solid waste is being disposed of on improper waste sites. Individual household consumption of water supply, sewage services, water treatment and waste collection and disposal services are financed with the incomes of these services, but their prices are indexed by the official inflation. The consequences of this are that the service level declines, environmentally beneficial technologies are not being introduced, and that natural resources are not being treated rationally. The prices for the services are not even sufficient to cover the maintenance coasts. The collective expenditure of these services is financed by budget funds, repayments and substitutive payments. Many differences between individual services in Slovenia result from this.

The drinking water distributed to households is at a relatively good level. The difficulties with some water supply networks are the quality of the water and periodic falling out of supplies. There are 13,861 kilometers of water supply networks with 339,000 household connections. The public distribution network regularly supplies 1,733,000 persons, that is 88 % of the total population in Slovenia. The average water consumption is 240 liters per person per day (households 124 liters per person), which is not much different from foreign norms. Through public water distribution networks 259,297,000 cubic meters of water was distributed in 1993, 52 % of it originating from groundwater. Water losses and transfusions in the network amounted to 106,689,000 cubic meters of water, which is 41 % of the supplied amount. This indicates, that the existing drinking water management is not rational. The reasons for this are the poor state of the network, structures and installations and insufficient maintenance.

The amount of wastewater from public sewage systems is estimated to be 132,097,000 cubic meters (households 42 % , services percent, other activities 57 %). The state of the networks and installations is inadequate for the same reasons mentioned for the water supply networks. This has additional negative impacts on the environment (the threat of pollution of sensitive areas, groundwater and other water sources). Only 54 % of the wastewater is being treated; biologically 6 percent, chemically 0.005 % combined 18 % and mechanically 30 % . The sewage system in Slovenia is 3,973 kilometers long and has 12,336 sewage connections. There are 68 treatment plants with a total capacity of over 1000 EE. The total planned capacity of wastewater treatment plants is 895,000 EE. 870,000 people, that is 44 % of the total population, are served with regular public sewage system services.

3.4. Comments

At the moment no reliable data list of chemicals used in Slovenia is available for creating a priority list related to the chemical production, import, export and use. A list from 1994 (addition 6) is only a rough estimate of the types of chemicals used in Slovenia. There are 690 chemicals on the list, many of which are listed several times because of trade names, misspellings and mixtures. If we compare the estimation of chemicals used in Europe (100,000 and 10,000 in quantities greater than 1 ton), it seems that in Slovenia we either don’t use many chemicals or the list is incomplete. The project National program for environment protection is carried out in collaboration with science, enterprises and non-governmental organizations and is in its final stage. It is going to provide additional information and a general analysis with respect to identified problems at the national level. The final product will be a national priority list of environmental problems and will define priority environmental tasks. Currently the astimated priority problems are: Chemical soil contamination, (fertilizers, heavy metals and pesticides), industrial wastewater, groundwater contamination, local air pollution from industry (heavy metals, specific pollutants), pesticides in environment, air pollution from thermal power plants, (SO2, Nox, ), unarranged landfills, traffic air pollution, municipal wastewater and solid waste.

Table 3.A presents the local problem areas with problematic chemicals in their environment which are concentrated in big industrial corporations, whorehouses, chemical manipulating areas and waste landfills. The main causes of pollution in these areas are emissions in air, partially in water and on land.

3.5. Proposal for priority tasks

The most important priority task is to form a National Program of Chemical Safety, which would define the goals and means of effective management or the problems identified in the Contents of the National profile. To some extent, this task is being carried out already in the frame of The Environmental National program, in the form of short-term environmental protection projects. Environmental strategy for solid waste and water management is in preparation, and will also make part of the National programme for the management of chemicals.

On the basis of data gathered in The National profile to Assess the National Infrastructure for the Management of Chemicals, we should pay particular attention to:

• Protection of groundwater, surface waters with efficient wastewater control, and treatment and protection of water sources.

• Waste disposal and treatment with a clear strategy, clean-ups of the existing landfills, minimization of wastes at sources, recycling of wastes.

• Harmonization of chemical registration and management with standards of the European Union.

• Inclusion of chemicals handling, and management in different sectors of environmental and health policies.

• Formation a national infrastructure information system for the management of chemicals which would be compatible with the environmental information system.

• Immediate hazard identification and risk assessment of chemicals for all activities invalving the use of chemicals.

• Preparation of the The list of chemicals and their distribution in the Republic of Slovenia, which would sarve as a base for establishing priorities related to import, production, export and use of chemicals.

CHAPTER 4:

LEGAL DOCUMENTS ON THE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS AND
INSTRUMENTS NOT GOVERNED BY LAW

4.1. Legal framework

Table 4a: Existing legal documents governing the handling of chemicals

Table 4.B: Overview of legal documents on the handling of chemicals according to use of individual groups 1

1 Sign X means that a certain phase is appropriate by treated in the legislation;

2 Note that transportation and storage can occur at v different phases of the life cycle of chemicals, from their production to their deposition;

Table 4.C: Banned or highly restricted chemicals 1

* Exceptionally allowed import of small amounts for laboratory work ( scientific-research purposes)

Trade and usage of substances and their preparations which are defined by low as toxic, are also banned if usage of such substances ( or their preparations) is banned in the country in which it is produced.

Trade and usage of benzene and preparations in with percentage of benzene content above 1% (volume per volume) are also banned ( Law on Trade with Toxic Substances ).

Manufacturing and import of azbestos products are also banned.

Trade and usage of the following toxic components and preparations, used as phytopharmaceuticals, are also bauned (Decree; Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No, 29-31/96):

• MERCURY COMPOUNDS

  • Alkyl mercury compounds

  • Alcoxyalkyl and aryl mercury compounds

  • Other inorganic mercury compounds

  • Mercury chloride

  • Mercury oxide

• PERSISTENT ORGANOCHLORINE COMPOUNDS

  • DDT;

  • Endrin;

  • Camphechlor;

• OTHER COMPOUNDS

  • Atrazine;

  • Binapacryl

  • Bromacyl;

  • Cianzine;

  • 1,2- Dibromoethane

  • 1,2- Dichloroethane;

  • 1,3-Dichloropropene;

  • Dicophole, with less than 78% p,p -dicophole or more than 1g per kg DDT or compounds similar to DDT;

  • Dinozeb, its salts and acetate;

  • Dinitroortocresole (DNOC);

  • Ethlene oxide;

  • Fluoroacetic acid and their salts;

  • Formaldehyde;

  • Hexazinone;

  • Isobenzene;

  • Cadmium compounds;

  • Captafol;

  • Chlorodecon;

  • Chloropicrin;

  • Chromium Coumpounds;

  • Lindane

  • Malein hydrazide and its salts , except their pholine, potassium and sodium salts or pholine, potassium and sodium salts of malein hydrazide which contain more than 1 mg/kg of free hydrazine

  • Methylbromide;

  • Nitrofene

  • Carbon disulfide

  • Paraquat;

  • Pentachlorophenol;

  • Propachlor;

  • 2,4,5-T;

  • 2,4,5-TP;

  • Talium Compounds:

  • Carbontetrachlotide

  • Thiabendazole;

  • Trichloroacetate;

  • 1,1,1- Trichloroethane;

  • Trichloromethane (chloroform);

  • 2,4,5 - Trichlorophenol

4.2. Instruments for promulgation of legislation

The legislation adopted in the Republic of Slovenia is promulgated in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia. The legislation in the former Yugoslavia was promulgated in the Official Gazette federal legislation of the Official Gazette of the legislation of its republics. This legislation is largely still in force, bat will gradually be replaced by new legal documents, adopted in the Republic of Slovenia.

The legislation promulgated in the Official Gazette is accessible also on the Internet. The legislation which is in force is found also in registers ( paper form and CD-ROM form).

4.3. Brief description of administrative proceedings

According to Law on Trade withToxic Substances and on Law on the Transportation of Dangerous Substances, the importer of a toxic substance (s) or preparation (s) has to apply to the Ministry of Health to get the permit for import. The main toxic groups of chemicals for which permission is required are labeled with:

T+- very toxic

T- toxic

Xn -harmful

Inspection of conditions of legal persons intending to trade with toxic chemicals is carried out by the Health Inspectorate. If conditions of the Law on Trade with Toxic Substances are fulfilled the inspectorate submits a permission decree for trade with toxic chemicals.

Administrative proceedings are required also for the import and export of substances which deplete the ozone layer. There proceedings are in the competence of Ministry of the Environment and Physical Planning ( Agency for the Protection of Nature) according to the Law on the Ratification of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.

Slovenia has also ratified the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. The competence for its implementation is also given to the Ministry of the Environment and Physical Planning ( Agency for Protection of Nature). The Decree on export , import and transit of hazardous wastes determines the conditions for export, import and transit of hazardous wastes and also the manner of t he inspection of export, import and transit of hazardous wastes. The competent body can give the approval for export if there is no technical possibility for environmentally safe disposal of such wastes on the area of the Republic of Slovenia.

Many other administrative proceedings, carried out by competent ministries in the field of chemicals, will be included in the second phase of these proceedings assessment.

4.4. Comments

Slovene legal system

The Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia was adopted on 21st December, 1991. In accordance with the new Slovenian Constitution, the highest legislative authority is the Slovenian Parliament, called the National Assembly. It consist of 90 deputies elected for a four-year term of office. The National Council with 40 deputies performs an advisory role. It is composed of representatives of social, economic, professional and local institutions. The National Council may propose laws to the National Assembly, give opinions on all matters within its competence and may demand that the National Assembly review its decision on a law before its promulgation.

In Slovenia, a number of lows and other legal documents have been implemented to regulate the management of chemicals, especially of dangerous substances and preparations. The mean weaknesses of this legislation are its incompleteness, fragmentation and lack of clarity. Furthermore, many legal documents in thit field are still from the former Yugoslavia and thus no longer appropriate. Old legislation should be changed and hamonised with EU legislation. Slovenia is making considerable efforts in this direction.

The most important law which has already been proposed to the parliament is the Law on Chemicals, which was harmonised within the intragovermental committee for the management of dangerous chemicals, as well as with ministries, other institutions and industry.

The law will cover the whole life cycle of chemicals except for: chemical wastes ( regulated by the law on environment protection), foodstuffs and consumer products which come into contact with foodstuffs, feeding stuffs, medicines for human and veterinary use, drugs , cosmetic products and explosives.

The aim of the law is to protect human health and life, as well as the environment against the direct and indirect effects caused by the production, marketing, use or disposal of chemicals.

In accordance with the new law, new regulations will be adopted to match EU directives.

Slovenia has signed or already ratified a number of international Conventions and Agreements. In 1997, the Slovenia also became an observer in the OECD Chemicals Group. It is also undertaken the obligation to respect the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Forum for Chemicals Safety. A Slovene delegation consisting of the highest state representatives, participated in the Conference of Environment and development in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro where the Action plan known as Agenda 21, Chapter 19, was adopted.

Because of numerous directives, acts, recommendations, conventions and agreements and other acts in this fild, the low above is one of the priority tasks of Slovenia. All intergovernmental and international agreements and conventions, as well as all regulations on the handling of chemicals should be incorporated and regularly updated.

CHAPTER 5:

THE MINISTRIES, OFFICES, AGENCIES AND
OTHER INSTITUTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH CHEMICALS

The purpose of the chapter is to describe and analyse the mandates and programmes of different ministries, agencies and other governmental institutions responsible for, and concerned with, various aspects of chemicals management.

5.1. Responsibilities of Different Government Ministries, Agencies and Other Institutions

The following tables provide a general overview of ministerial responsibilities and activities related to chemicals management for each stage of chemical life cycle from production, import through disposal. Separate tables are completed for different classes of chemicals such as phytopharmaceuticals (table 5.A.1), petroleum products (table 5.A.2), industrial chemicals and consumer chemicals (table 5.A.3).

Table 5.A.1: Phytopharmaceuticals

Table 5.A : Petroleum products

Stage of Life Cycle Ministry Concerned	Import	Production	Storage	Transport	Distribution/ Marketing	Use/ Handling	Disposal
Environment			X				X
Health
Agriculture
Transport				X
Internal Affairs				X
Labour						X
Defence/Civil Defence			X

Table 5.A.3. Industrial and consumer chemicals

Stage of Life Cycle Ministry Concerned	Import	Production	Storage	Transport	Distribution/ Marketing	Use/ Handling	Disposal
Environment			X				X
Health	X1	X1	X1	X1	X1	X1	X1
Agriculture
Labour		X				X
Internal affairs	X2	X2	X2	X, X2	X2
Defence/Civil Defence		X	X				X2
Transport				X

X affirmative

1 only in case of ADR/RID 6.1

2 only explosive materials

5.2. Description of Ministerial Authorities and Mandates

Competence for the phytopharmaceuticals is shared by two sectors, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (MAFF) and the Ministry of Health when the phytopharmaceutical contains dangerous and toxic substances. A permanent licence and registration of a phytopharmaceutical is conditional with classification of toxic substances which is licenced by the Ministry of Health (MH). A final licence is issued by MAFF.

The Ministry of Agriculture issues the list of phytopharmaceuticals which are alowed on the Slovenian market. It is considered to be one of most advanced in Europe.

The Ministry of the Environment Physical Planning (MEPP) and MAFF will jointly issue regulations for the management of obsolete pesticides and pesticide packaging waste. MEPP carries out the chemical monitoring of underground waters. MH controls pesticide residues through National Institute of Public Health. New legislation for pesticide residues control is in preparation.

Explosive materials are in the competence of the Ministry of Interior.

Civil protection and rescue during disasters caused by hazardous substances is governed by the Ministry of Defence (see chapter 13).

Industrial and consumer chemicals which are not in some special class of chemicals, are in all phases in the competence of the Ministry of Health, with health protection as the main goal.

Labour inspection is in charge of supervising the production of hazardous chemicals. Legislation regulates air emissions at work places with a special emphasis on protecting work environment and on protective equipment for handling of chemicals. The Health Inspectorate controls health in working environment and controls toxic materials which are imported to Slovenia.

5.3. Comments

Production and trade of phytopharmaceuticals can only be carried out by companies which have employed a worker with a degree in agriculture and sufficient experience in handling with hazardous chemicals.

Phytopharmaceuticals can be given out only by a person who has graduated at least from a high school of agriculture and has followed additional courses in phytomedicine and handling of hazardous chemicals.

Responsibilities of Ministries are defined in legislation, as well as by other mechanisms, designed to solve problems which can arise when responsibilities are not clearly defined or when they are of multidisciplinary nature. Such problems are held with a new body, the Intersectoral Committee on the Management of Dangerous Chemicals. In spite of these possibilities of handling problems, the mechanisms should be improved. Detailed research of weak points should be carried out which would improve the procedures of handling pesticides, industrial and consumer chemicals.

CHAPTER 6:

RELEVANT ACTIVITIES OF INDUSTRY, PUBLIC INTEREST GROUPS AND
THE RESEARCH SECTOR

6.1. Description of Organizations/Programmes

6.1.1. Industry

Data and information on activities and programmes, going on in the above noted groups of non-governmental organizations have been obtained through consultation of the following:

- Chamber of Commerce, RS, Association for Chemical and Rubber Industry , Mr.Stefan Trajbaric, Dimiceva 9, POB 464, 1504 Ljubljana, tel.��61-320596, fax 386-61-218380, email: cankar@hq.gzs.si

- Ministry of Economy,

- Ministry of Defence.

The most important industrial organizations that use or handle chemicals are given in Table 6.1. On the basis of laws and regulation acts they are obliged to protect workers and the environment from harmful effects of the chemicals they use or produce, as well as from dangerous materials and installations in transport, storage, process and use. Due to political and economical restructuring of Slovenia, the related legislation has not yet been prepared (completed, structured, updated, rationalized) and harmonized with the EU. A large part of the legislation from SFRY is still valid, although many laws and regulations have been issued recently or are in preparation and assessment. Another problem is the lack of instruments for control of implementation of the existing legislation: the control is relatively inefficient, insufficient and often incompetent. In this situation industry can not develop adequate programmes and activities for putting chemicals under control. The situation within industry is similar: some enterprises are very responsible and caring, while anothers are entirely ignorant about these issues.

Comments to individual activities in industrial organizations:

1. Data collection: Factories that produce dangerous chemicals/preparations are obliged to provide safety sheets for each chemical. For fulfilling this task they collect relevant data by using handbooks, journals, databases, perform their own measurements, engage consulting firms etc.

2. Testing of chemicals: If no or incomplete data exist for a certain chemical, industry usually collaborates with research institutions, e.g. institutes, universities and authorized laboratories to fill the information gaps. Functional properties of materials are often measured in authorized industrial research or control laboratories.

3. Risk assessment: New regulations (Ordinance on compulsory environmental impact assessment..., Off.J. RS 66/96) prescribe activities, objects and installations that must produce a risk assessment study if they are being rebuilt or being built. All those, who handle of dangerous substances are subjects to this ordinance. Many already have such studies so that they can prepare emergency plans (e.g. Cinkarna Celje- sulfuric acid producer, TKI Hrastnik- chlorine producer etc.)

4. Risk reduction: Those organizations which already have the risk assessment study, may proceed with risk reduction plans and programs. Partial (most often intuitive) risk reduction tasks are being steadily carried out in various industries which use hazardous substances. These activities are initiated for various reasons: seeking for overall safer working environment due to higher self-awareness, more strict legislation and enforcement, work close to (or sometimes above) the nominal production capacity etc.

5. Policy analysis of the chemical safety: Industry takes part in this activity only indirectly, most often by means of making statements or notes of collective opinion, established on certain forums at the Chamber of Commerce (recently most often responding to various actions and programmes of the EU).

6. Training and education: Industry is obliged to perform periodical training and education of their workers on subjects such as occupational health, industrial safety, hazard abatement etc. The training and courses may be organized by the company staff itself (if it has appropriate service) or - most often - by a specialized company.

7. Research of less hazardous alternatives: This activity is often introduced when marketing of certain commercial substances has been - or is being - banned by various international agreements. Thus, for example, asbestos in roof sheets production was recently banned and replaced by cellulose fibres, many harmful heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, chromium) were abandoned from the production processes, PCBs in electric capacitors and transformers were replaced by non-chlorine substitutes, many chlorinated solvents were replaced by non-halogenated ones, harmful freons in refrigerator production were replaced by others, etc.

8. Monitoring of chemicals: Good housekeeping is one of the main good management principles in all industries. Special monitoring of chemicals in various environmental media (air, surface- and ground water, soil, products...) is performed when thi is required by legislation. It is expected (due to newly imposed legislation) that this activity will develop very rapidly. Monitoring may be performed by the polluter itself in cooperation with a licensed organization.

9. Enforcement of legislation: Industry complly with legislation as much as it is forced by the control institutions (inspection). The inspection, however, is understaffed and often influenced by local factors. Only individual companies are well aware of the necessity to fulfill obligations or to do voluntarily even more (because foreign partners require this). Legislation is becoming stricter very quickly, which most of the industry can not follow due to the lack of economic and staff resources.

10. Information to workers: Workers are informed about chemical hazards in various ways: safety data sheets, internal bulletins, periodic education and training, work procedures and protocols etc.

11. Information to the public: Protocols for regular public information are not yet elaborated. Regular, self-initiated information is seldom practised, more often media provoke official statements (especially in the case of affairs or environmental damages). The " Right to know" principle is seldom used; however non-governmental organizations are very active in efforts for itsimplementation.

12. Other: The Environmental Management Systems, according to ISO 14000 have been companies. Consideration of the environment is present also in the Quality assurance standards (ISO 9000), which has been awarded to nearly 300 companies so far, and which contributes to the improvement of environmental and health safety.

Special programmes on chemical safety in industry

The most active are the chemical, pharmaceutical and rubber industries, in which the mayority of hazardous substances are used. Their actions are self-initiated, mainly to fulfill requirements of foreign partners and international institutions. They are sometimes coordinated by special Commissions at the Chamber of Commerce and Association of Chemical and Rubber Industry. The latter two institutions represent Slovenian industry in numerous international bodies which coordinate some programmes on chemical safety. Some examples:

a) CHEMSEED Program (Chemical Industry Sustainable Economical and Ecological Development)

b) Responsible Care Program (coordinated by CEFIC- European Federation of the Chemical Industries and ICCE- International Council for Chemical Industry and EC- European Commission)

c) UNEP Programs.

Table 6.1.1 lists the most important representatives of various industries that use, produce or trade with chemicals, hazardous substances and devices. The list includes approx. 80% of entities that are responsible for chemical hazard in Slovenia.

6.1.2. Research institutions

There are numerous research institutions active in Slovenia in the field of chemical safety. Table 6.1.2 lists the most important. Their activities are of in a very broad range:

- safety data collection about chemicals,

- making inventories of chemicals and hazards,

- testing of have chemicals,

- design of alternative chemicals,

- monitoring of chemicals in air, water, soil, products etc.,

- design, testing and monitoring methods,

- risk assessments and risk abatement programs,

- collaboration with government bodies in preparation of new legislation,

- education and training of workers in industry and public sector,

- public information etc.

These activities are stimulated, used and financed by:

- governmental institutions (most often ministries e.g. - of science and technology, - of environment, - of agriculture, - of health, - of industry...), which need basic studies on various problems, emerging on the national level

- individual owners of hazardous substances (most often industries or factories), who need safety data for new chemicals, alternative chemicals, analytical and monitoring methods, risk assessments, suggestions for risk reduction measures etc.

- companies which market training and education of workers and the public

- international organizations and programs (PHARE, EUROTRACK, EUREKA, TEMPUS, ERASMUS, PECO,...)

Some of them have been recently (upon review) appointed as Official institutions for making environmental impact assessments.

Only a few of them have introduced controlled GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) for their entire service, however, many are making good progress.

6.1.3. Non-governmental organizations (civil initiatives)

There are about 300 voluntary NGOs presently active in Slovenia, over 100 of them connected with environmental, nature or people protection. Their activity and influence are growing. Some of them are of high professional level, collaborate in many national and international projects and have representatives in most of the governmental bodies related to environmental protection. They maintain coordination on the national level in the form of The Regional Environmental Center, Slovenska 5, 1000 Ljubljana, tel.386 61 125-1200, fax. 125-7065 (Ms. Milena Marega).

Other organisations which may have chemical safety in their programs, are listed in Table 6.1.2. They were asked to give data about their related activities. However, most of them did not reply. It may be concluded that this subject is perhaps not yet among the priorities of the NGOs programs or they have no appropriate staff to tackle these problems.

Table 6.1.1: List of important users, producers or traders of chemicals in Slovenia

* codes of expertise given in table 6.2.

Table 6.1.2: List of the main research organisations in Slovenia (related to chemical safety)

* codes of expertise given in table 6.2.

6.2. Summary of the expertise available outside of government

6.3. Comments

· The official policy of the Slovene government to NGOs with respect to information exchange and collaboration in the field of chemical safety still needs to be defined. Industry and commerce, most often represented by the Chamber of Commerce, are recognized as partners by the governmental bodies. The same is true of research institutions, such as Universities and some (internationally recognized) institutes. Some newly formed private institutes also are gaining recognition. At the moment, less attention is paid to civil sector NGOs, partly because of their incompltence, partly because of GOs reluctance for collaboration; the situation, however, is improving.

· Constant and prompt exchange of information between GOs and NGOs on chemical safety and related subjects has not yet been established. Talks and negotiations are in progress on this issue.

· Different NGOs (industry and commerce, research institutions, civil NGOs) are treated differently. Partnership is recognized between GOs and the first two groups, whereas the latter is still negotiating. Correspondingly, marked results have been obtained in industry (banned PCBs, asbestos, some freons, some heavy metals, some pesticides...) and also in environmental monitoring. Data are, however, not automatically disclosed to the public.

· Industry takes part in various international programs, conventions, directives and practices for improving chemical safety ("Chemseed", Product stewardship, Responsible care, use of safety data sheets for chemical products, conducting the transport according to RID/ADR rules, substitution of hazardous chemicals with less harmful ones, safe waste treatment). Civil NGOs hardly take any part in these activities.

· NGOs (including customers associations) are active and efficient in informing the public about relevant (local and national) environmental problems, most often through public media and also by their bulletins and leaflets. National matters on chemical safety are often discussed in media (TV, newspapers and periodicals) by distinguished scientist and researchers. Local industry also uses these means of information to inform local public about their problems or achievements.

· NGOs at present have no legal and formal instrument to control the efficiency of the national system for chemical (and other related) safety. They use public media, especially in cases of accidents and dangerous situations.

· There are many types of information existing in NGOs (in general) that could be used in organizing national a system of chemical safety. Most of it is known and available to the responsible GOs.

· Cooperation between GOs and NGOs in general is good and is still improving. Civil NGOs are, however, still seeking for their role and influence.

CHAPTER 7: INTERSECTORAL COMMITTEES AND COORDINATING MECHANISMS

7.1 Intersectoral Committees and Coordinating Mechanisms

Table 7A: Overview

1 Rank between 1 and 3: excellent (1), adequate (2), or poor (3)

7.2 Description of Inter-ministerial Commissions and Co-ordinating Mechanisms

• Kind of Mechanism (e.g., inter-ministerial body, standing committee, formal consultative process, ad hoc groups):

  • ICMDC: Governmental Inter-ministerial Commission;

  • KZZ: Expert Commission (Ministry of Health);

  • KZNS: Expert Commission (Ministry of Health);

  • KZS: Consultative Commission (Minister of Health) for toxins;

  • KRFS: Expert Commission (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food);

• Scope of issues and chemicals covered:
  • ICMDC: chemicals during their entire life cycle;
  • KZZ: it was thought in the beginning that the commission should only prepare toxins-related regulations, as the Ministry of Health is competent only for these chemicals. When harmonising with EU guidelines, the commission found that it was not logical to separate toxins as a seperate group of chemicals, so it proceeded with regulations on a larger scale. It included all chemicals and prepared two books of regulations (see point d);
  • KZNS: chemicals in accordance with the EU definition;
  • KZS: deals with a classification of toxins (mainly pesticides) and gives opinion on current problems in the area of toxins;
  • KRFS: expert opinions regarding the registration and use of phytopharmaceutical substances in agriculture;
• Parties included ( governmental and non-governmental):
  • ICMDC: includes representatives of 10 ministries, government information centre, Chamber of Commerce, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, scientific & research sector.
  • KZZ: consists of experts from some ministries, health inspectorate and industrial organizations (a kind of inter-ministerial commission),
  • KZNS: consists of experts of some ministries, health inspectorate and industrial organizations (a kind of inter-ministerial commission),
  • KZS: consists of external experts in the field who are not civil servants in/at the ministries; the secretary is employed Ministry of Health
  • KRFS: consists of experts from agricultural institutes and institutions.
• Working procedures (e.g., nature and frequency of meetings, decision-making procedures, etc.):
  • ICMDC: see enclosed standing orders,
  • KZZ: The commission prepared two new regulations books on classification, packaging, furnishing and labeling of chemicals and preparations, with enclosures. At first, EU guidelines and enclosures were translated by employees of the Toxins Office (Ministry of Health), then reviewed and adapted the existing conditions in Slovenia and its legal framework. In the beginning, the work proceeded intensively but very slowly, mainly because a lot of time was spent on decision-making about the appropriatenes of a number of expressions and terms. Another problem concerned the legal basis as both books were beyond the competence of the Ministry of Health.
  • The commission does not have any specific standing orders.
  • KZNS: Its chair person, dr. Marta Ciraj, Ministry of Health, made a draft following legislations of two EU countries (Germany and Sweden).After intensive work and in a very short time the group prepared a bill on chemicals which still needs to be descto be the Parlament.
  • KZS assembles at least three times per year, and more often if necessary. The standing orders are enclosed.
  • KRFS assembles two to four times per year.
• Diagnosis of current weaknesses:
  • ICMDC: members have many different assignments
  • KZZ: team work was excellently performed but too slow mainly due to the bulk of EU guidelines (and enclosures) dealing with classification, packaging, furnishing and labeling of chemicals and mixtures.
  • KZNS: members have many different assignments,
  • ad 4) KZS: The commission has a very demanding task - the new criteria for the classification of chemicals and preparations according to EU guidelines were ready, but not yet officially published in the Official Gazette, so the classification according to former criteria would be unreasonable. It is necessary to prepare new instructions showing what each toxin evaluation should take into account to be in accordance with the EU guideline 414/91.
  • KRFS: The commission has worked hard and under the pressure of manufacturers who want to decrease the time between the date of filing their request and the date of the registration. The requested legal procedure includes control and acquisition of expert opinions, which takes some time.

7.3 Description of Mechanisms for Obtaining Input from Non-Governmental Bodies

Among its members the Inter-governmental Commission for the management of chemicals has a democratically selected representative and a deputy from non-governmental organizations as a representative of the public sector, as well as a representative and a deputy from the scientific & research sector. In other commissions (especially in the Commission for Toxins) good co-operation with experts from different universities and institutes (members of commissions) has been established, which means that the Cooperation with the scientific-research sector is already in process. Broader cooperation with non-governmental organizations planned within the Inter-ministerial commission for the management of chemicals.

7.4 Comments

The existing co-ordination mechanisms are considered to ensure effective work of commissions, which, of course, can be even better with technological and organizational improvements.

Also the co-operation among ministries is incorporated in these mechanism as members of commissions come from different ministries, institutes and institutions, depending on the purpose and needs of each commission.

Commissions work independently, but each co-ordination and co-operation among all areas is established when necessary.

Members from non-governmental organizations work on a regular basis in some commissions. They can provide useful information from their own sources.

CHAPTER 8: DATA ACCESS AND USE

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the availability of data concerning chemicals management and the related infrastructure, and to analyze how information is used for national and local chemical risk reduction.

8.1 Availability of Data for National Chemical Management

Table 8. A provides an overview of availability of data for different decision-making activities which may be required under the existing legal instruments.

Table8.A: Quality and Quantity of Available Information

X Sufficient information is available for the tasks

1 Only for agricultural pesticides

8.2 Location of national data

Table 8.B indicates the nature of available national data related to chemicals management and provides information on how to gain access to such data. In particular, the table indicates where data is maintained within government ministries, agencies or other institutions or within non-governmental bodies. Table 8.B also indicates the source of data, who has access to data and the form in which data are maintained (e.g., computer database, paper files, register, etc).

Table 8.B: Location of National Data

8.3 Procedures for Collecting and Disseminating National/ Local Data

In connection with the treatment of chemicals:

• MH - chemical import data

• MEPP and MH (inspectorate)-hazardous waste data

• MAFF products (registration, maintaining - on plant protection, the register of production and sales companies, register of plant protection products)

• MI - data on traffic and transport of explosive substances and on other hazardous substances

• MoD - data on quantity and type of hazardous substances

Data is stored partly by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, and then Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Toxicology. Access is restricted. Confidentiality of data is determined by low and regulations.

8.4 Avaliability of International Literature

The main sources of toxicological data are:

• books on toxicology

• publications of expert groups

• toxicology magazines

• data from industry

• administrative sources

• digital toxicology data bases

Some publications of expert groups are available at the Ministry of Health and the Institute for Health Protection:

• Reports of the joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, WHO, Geneva

  • summary report

  • monographs/evaluations

• Pesticide residues in food - data and recommendations of a joint meeting of the FAO panel of experts on pesticide residues in food and in the environment, and the WHO expert group on pesticide residues, FAO of the UN, Rome
  • summary report
  • monographs/evaluations
• Pesticide Manual, Martin, Worthing, British Crop Protection Council.
• Toxicologie der Herbizide, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Chemie Verlag.
• IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Mn, WHO, Lyon.
• Documentation of the Treshold Limit Values, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Ohio.
• Food Standards Committee Reports, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, HMSO, London.
• Food Additives and Contaminants Committee Reports, HMSO, London
• Food Advisory Committee Reports, HMSO, London
• Reports of the Scientific committee for Foodstuffs, EEC, Brussels.
• IARC Scientific Publication, WHO, London.

Available publications in connection with chemicals avalaible in Slovenia according to the COBISS system (annex 5).

Publicly awailable sources at NGOs conact point, Prušnikova 2, Ljubljana, tel/fax 386 61 572-468:

• UNITED NATIONS INSTITUTE FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH (UNITAR): Establishment of Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers in Developing/Industrializing Countries: Guidelines for the Implementation of the UNITAR PRTR Pilot Studies, A Contribution to the International Programme on Chemical Safety, 94D032, Oktober 1994;

• UNITED NATIONS INSTITUTE FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH (UNITAR): Facilitating the Establishment of Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers in Developing/Industrializing Countries: Estimating Environmental Releases for Facility PRTR Reporting, Draft, A Guide to Methods, December 1995, 96D002;

• UNITED NATIONS INSTITUTE FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH (UNITAR): Facilitating the Establishment of Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers in Developing and Industrializing Countries: An Overview of UNITAR's Assistance Activities and Resource Materials, Marec 1996;

• COMMONWEALTH ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY: National Pollutant Inventory, Public Discussion Paper, Februar 1994;

• AUSTRALIA ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY: National Pollutant Inventory FACT SHEET, November 1995;

• AUSTRALIA ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY: Analysis of Public Comment on the National Pollutant Inventory Public Discussion Paper of February 1994, Prepared for the Environment Protection Agency, January 1995;

• AUSTRALIA ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY: Report on the National Pollutant Inventory Public Workshops June-July 1994, Prepared for The Environment Protection Agency, October 1994, University of Western Sydney - Social Ecology, CRC for Waste Management and Pollution Control Ltd.;

• CEFIC - EUROPEAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY COUNCIL: CEFIC Guidelines on Environmental Reporting for the European Chemical Industry, June 1993;

• THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC: Development of Pollution Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) in Czech Republic, Current Progress and Perspectives in 1996;

• TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE FINLAND (TEKES): The Publicity and Reporting Systems of Industrial Emissions in Europe, August 1995;

• DR. JIT PETERS: Voluntary Agreements between Government and Industry: The Basic Metal Covenant as an Example, 1995;

• INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHEMICAL SAFETY: Annexes to the resolutions - IPCS/IFCS/94.Res.1, Resolution on the establishment of an Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety, 29 April 1994, and IPCS/IFCS/94.Res.2, 29 April 1994, Resolution on Priorities for Action in Implementing Environmentally Sound Management of Chemicals;

• INTER-ORGANIZATION PROGRAMME FOR THE SOUND MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICALS (IOMC): A Cooperative Agreement among UNEP, ILO, FAO, WHO, UNIDO and OECD, October 1995 in INTERGOVERNMENTAL FORUM ON CHEMICAL SAFETY (IFCS), April 1994;

• JEREMY WATES: Towards an ECE Convention on Access to Environmental Information and Public Participation in Environmental Decisionmaking, UN ECE, 1996;

• NORWEGIAN POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY (SFT): Annual emission reports from industrial enterprises, Guidelines for filling in the report form 95:08E, SFT, January 1995;

Data bases

Using Computer databases is the fastest, cheapest and easiest method of acquiring toxicological data. Such access to information requires a computer linked to a global data center and knowledge of English, which is required for communication between information providers and users. Where, it is still possible to try and find the information in a local library. Today libraries are connected in a computer network, so databases can be accessed from a library. This type of search however, may be more expensive. The following databases of particular interest are in Slovenia: Toxline, Biosis, Medline, Excerpta Medica, Cancerlit, Rtecs, Chemical Abstracts, Chemical Nomenclature Files, Chem Bank, Einecs, Riskline, Pois Index and many others.

The purpose of Tables 8.C and 8.D is to make transparent what international literature and databases are accessible within the country, including their location, in order to facilitate access to thit literature and databases.

Table 8.C: Availability of International Literature

8.5 Availability of International Databases

Table 8.D: Availability of International Databases

8.6 National systems for the exchange of information

Information is received from international organizations through the regular activities of individual ministries. Slovenia is included, takes part in, and organizes: international workshops, symposia and consultative meetings in connection with chemicals. It obtains further information, data and experience through cooperation with outside experts in individual fields.

The process of inclusion in the EU also involves adaptation to European experience and legislation. Slovenia is therefore included in the PHARE and similar programmes.

The exchange of information among ministries is still insufficient, but the Government of the Republic of Slovenia has set up an interministerial committee on the management with dangerous substances, which is intended to provide a link between ministries in the fild of dangerous substances.

8.7 Comments

The majority of ministries currently have their own databases on dangerous substances/chemicals. For the most part, these are contemporary European or American databases which cover the whole "life cycle", including incident case studies (spills, leakages, poisoning). Institutes, university faculties and other research institution are also well supplied with databases. A unification of the information system at the level of all ministries, especially programmes used, will significantly alleviate the exchange of information. Ministries are already interconnected by E-mail and the Internet. So this element of international links, too, is beneficial and improvement is anticipated.

The part of the database in which there is a list of dangerous substances stored or used in the country is more problematic. This area still has to be regulated by low. The import of dangerous substances, and the import-export of hazardous waste are strictly controlled. The public has access to government organisations, primarily through annual reports of individual ministries, and also the Statistical Yearbook of The Office of Statistics of the Republic of Slovenia is an important source. There is limited access to some types of information connected with dangerous substances, in order to protect the business confidentiality of the data.

Today, toxicological information is a lot easier to obtain than before, especially with electronic media. The Internet gives opportunity for direct and fast access to the full and detailed information. A lot still has to be done on updating information systems and building up our own data bases. A lot of information from Slovenian authors is in our libraries and with the introduction of the COBISS system they are available to everybody.

A data base for different aspects of chemicals should be built and made publicly available in Slovenia. The same holds for a specialized library on hazardous chemicals.

CHAPTER 9: TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

The purpose of this Section is to give a presentation of the technical infrastructure related with chemicals handling in the country.

9.1 A survey of the laboratory infrastructure

Table 9.A: Survey of laboratory infrastructure for regular performance of chemical analyses

Key to abbreviations: GC- gas chromatography

MS- mass spectrometry

TLC- thin-layer chromatography

HPLC- liquid chromatography

IR- infra-red spectrometry

AAS- atomic absorption spectrometry

TOX- apparatus for determining organic halogens

TOC- apparatus for determining total organic carbon

IC- ionic chromatography

NMR- nuclear magnetic resonance

Table 9.A gives a survey of the laboratory equipment which is available in the country and which supports the implementation of the programs and policy of chemicals handling. Particularly interesting are those laboratories which are equipped for analytical chemistry and which can provide, among other: identification of unknown substances, quality analyzes, chemicals quality, residues analyzes, substance identification and surveillance of possible harmful impacts.

All relevant laboratories are indicated, including those of governmental agencies, research institutes, universities, etc. It is a well-known fact, however, that there are too many laboratories to be included.

In Slovenia, there exist:

• Official laboratories authorized by the competent ministries, such as: Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova 2, Ljubljana ; Health Protection Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, Trubarjeva 2, Ljubljana and Regional Health Care Institutes (Novo mesto, Maribor, Celje, Nova Gorica, Koper, Kranj); Hydrometeorological Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, Vojkova 2, Ljubljana; Drugs Testing Institute; Faculty of Veterinary Science, Gerbi_eva 60, Ljubljana

• Scientific research laboratories, such as: University laboratories, Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana; Jo_ef Stefan Institute, Jamova 2, Ljubljana; Faculty of Chemistry, Murnikova 2, Ljubljana.

• Numerous laboratories within companies, which perform internal inspection in their organizations. None of these laboratories have accreditation or GLP Certificate. It is impossible to complete this table in detail without carrying out a wide-scale survey.

IN general laboratories in Slovenia follow internationally acknowledged protocols, such as the OECD Guidelines and Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Institute of Chemistry carries out several commercial tests related to pharmaceutical products for the needs of the American GLP, and partly, the pharmaceutical industry. The Regional Health Institute in Maribor cooperates with Ministries in Austria as a contract laboratory for monitoring of waters. It is a demo center for Hewlett Packard instruments in Slovenia. The Faculty of Veterinary Science carries out tests related to veterinary and products of animal original for the needs of American veterinary inspection service. There is no National programme for the improvement of quality and number of laboratories. More intensive is the preparation of laboratories for accreditation of individual areas and tests.

9.2 Survey of the Government's information systems / computer capacities

Table 9.B gives a survey of the computer capacities available at the Government which can be used for information systems on chemicals, for access to international data bases and for the implementation of the Government's policy and programs related to chemicals handling.

The computer systems located at different ministries and other governmental institutions are for the most part compatible, although this is not uniformly introduced in the Government's services. Most of the computer systems are also connected to E-mail and the Internet.

Table 9.B: Computer capacities

9.3 Survey of technical training and education programs

This part includes a general description of the training and education programs aimed at ensuring expert technical knowledge which is required for the implementation of the Government's policy and programs in relation with chemicals handling. The survey should include programs for various disciplines, such as chemistry, toxicology, environmental sciences and environmental engineering. In this sense the training and education programs in technical schools and at the university level, as well as special programs intended for government officials, should be established.

At the moment, secondary and high-school educational programs are being carried out in Slovenia which involve the technical viewpoint of chemicals handling. Technicians and engineers use this knowledge at their work in industry or in commercial enterprises. There do not exist, in Slovenia, any wide-scale educational programs intended for present and future government officials. There is some education on topics such as: chemical metrology, quality control, accreditation, good laboratory practice, and legislation in the field of chemistry, performed on commercial and voluntary bases within societies, associations and service companies. On the part of governmental organizations, an important role is played in this field by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and within it the Standards and Metrology Institute. An example of such activity are the 1st and 2nd Conference on Practical Use of European Food Regulations, which took part in 1994 and 1995 at Bled. At these conferences, a number of papers were devoted to quality control in chemical laboratories, and to the importance of and difference between accreditation and good laboratory practice.

9.4 Comments

In Slovenia, there exist, within the scope of governmental institutions and companies, many laboratories which are professionally competent and technically well equipped. Most of the laboratories carry out tests to check the compliance of prescribed parameters in products for their own needs, or as authorized laboratories. These will have to obtain an accreditation certificate if they want to demonstrate their competence. Authorization for proficiency assessment of testing laboratories against the SIST EN 4500, SIST ISO 9000 and SIST EN 14000 series of standards is held by the Accreditation Service within SMIS. Many laboratories are preparing for accreditation by documenting their procedures and defining their responsibilities. Only a small number of laboratories in Slovenia deal with studies and the needs for entering new products into the register. An exception is - because of the nature of its products and its economic importance for Slovenia - the pharmaceutical industry. The majority of other products belonging to the substances which require the submission of a study for their development (pesticides, various other additives, etc.) are only imported to Slovenia. For the reason of protection of human health and the environment, it will be necessary, in the future, to direct certain Slovenian national institutes and faculties (maximum 5) into the use and development of procedures for the production of studies of safe chemicals. A Service is being established within the Ministry of Health for notification or entry into the register of new chemicals on the basis of estimation of studies (GLP). As there are relatively few manufacturers of primary chemicals in Slovenia, and even fewer newly developed chemicals, there will be a relatively small number of studies submitted. Thus one person assisted by contractors will most probably master the work of GLP notification in Slovenia. This person will also be responsible for successful co-operation with other countries, and in this relation, for checking and recognizing the notification documents of other countries when importing foreign, newly registered chemicals into Slovenia (this applies only to the first import of a newly registered product).

The following is needed for good organization and performance of inspection and surveillance in the field of chemicals:

• good co-operation between all relevant Ministries in order to prepare as quickly as possible all the legal acts;

• larger-scale co-operation between the official testing laboratories and the inspection bodies;

• re-organization of inspection services.

• etting up accreditation procedures for laboratories

• updating laboratories for a wider range of environmental analyzes

• building up of an information system for all laboratory data on chemicals in Slovenia

• adequate legislation

CHAPTER 10: INTERNATIONAL LINKAGES

The National contribution of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia to integration into international organizations and conclusion of agreements relating to chemicals handling, and the assessment of possibilities for a unified approach at the national level.

10.1 Participation and Involvement in International Organizations, Bodies and Agreements

Table 10.A: Membership in International Organizations and Bodies

Table 10.B: Participation in International Agreements/Procedures Related to Chemicals Management

10.2 Participation in International Agreements/Procedures Related to Management

Table 10.C indicates all current and planned multilateral and bilateral activities related to working with chemicals. However, it is also concerned with projects concerning environment and sustainable development (e.g. National Plans for Measures aimed at the Protection of Environment) and the projects relating to agricultural and industrial development, which includes the transmission of technology with chemicals or of chemical technology.

Table 10.C: Participation as Recipient in Relevant Technical Assistance Projects

10.3 Comments

Slovenia is involved in implementation of international agreements relating to dangerous substances. As a young country, Slovenia has not yet been able to engage in all international agreements and mechanisms. We expect that all obligations and duties will be fully implemented in the near future, and that an effective mechanism of supervision over dangerous substances will be established.

International organizations are connected with Slovenia through individual ministries, since the national program is in the process of establishing.

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has set up an Intersectoral Commission for Dangerous Substances, which has for its goal the formulation of the future national program aimed at impruved coordination between ministries and governmental agencies.

Coordination related to implementation of agreements in the field of dangerous substances is on early stage. The Governmental Intersectoral Committee on the Management of Dangerous Chemicals was established in June 1996. The commission’s task is to draw up national directives and formulate a program also in this particular field.

International organizations in the field of management of dangerous substances could improve the efficiency of implementations of their programs. This could be achieved by providing information on duties of the ministries the Intesectorial Commission for Dangerous Substances. Otherwise, there are no implement obstacles to the implementation of international agreements in this field on the territory of the Republic of Slovenia. Due to insufficient overview, ignorance and lack of coordination, the implementation of international agreements can at times be problematic. See also Chapter 4 and its conclusion.

CHAPTER 11: AWARENESS/UNDERSTANDING OF WORKERS AND THE PUBLIC

The purpose of the chapter is to provide an overview of the mechanisms available to provide information to workers and to the public concerning the potential risks associated with chemical production, import, export, handling, use and disposal.

11.1. Information to workers to protect their health and safety from the risk of chemicals

The Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs organised the Office for Safety and Health at Work. Through a department for public relations they inform the people about hazard, risks and protection in dealing with chemicals. They are planning to prepare materials and presentations concerning new standards and regulations that will be introduced in Slovenia in the process of its accession to the European Union.

The Law of Safety at Work defines that the employer has to provide theoretical and practical training programs for all workers managing chemicals and hazardous substances. The workers should be aware of working conditions and chemical hazard and should learn how to protect himself, what to do in emergency situations and should know all technical regulations and procedures. Periodically at least every two years the employer should ansure reeducation and provide tests for leading workers to make certain that they are fully prepared for dealing with chemicals. The working areas containing chemicals must be appropriately marked. Inspection on field is carried out by the Inspectorate of Labour.

The Legal documents which serve as a basis for informing and protecting workers dealing with chemicals and hazardous materials are described in Chapter 4:

• Law of the Transportation of Dangerous Substances

• Law of Safety at Work

• Law of Inspection of Labour

• Decree on the Appointment of Companies Authorized for the Training of Persons Handling and Transporting Dangerous Substances for Issuing of Certificates

• Regulations on Documentation for Work Equipment

• Regulations on the Inspection of the Working Environment and on the Examination and Testing of Work Equipment

• Regulations on Training and Testing of Workers Handling Dangerous Substances

11.2. Information to the public concerning the risk of chemicals to the environment, health and safety, and actions which should be taken for self-protection from chronic or acute exposure to hazardous chemicals

The Environmental Protection Act (Aticle 14) includes the principle of public access to and dissemination of information:

• The Information concerning environmental conditions and changes, the procedures and activities of bodies of the State and Local Authorities, of the parties involved in the delivery of public services, and those with public authorization relating to the environment, shall be open to the public.

• The parties of the preceding paragraph shall inform the public and provide information to interested individuals and organizations in the prescribed manner not later than one month after the request for such information and at a price which may not exceed the material costs of providing the information.

• Any party whose business operations should in any way or form strain the environment shall provide public access to the information concerning such environmental strain as they may cause in the manner specified in the preceding paragraph through the competent department of Local authorities referred to the paragraph 3 of Article 92 hereof.

Good environmental culture is strongly connected with information. The fundamental value in this regard is an open and authentic nature of information forwarded to the public. The government tries to forward substantial and convincing information to all interested institutions, mass media and citizens through press conferences, press statements, media discussions, active co-operation in domestic and international meetings, symposia and congresses, through publication of booklets and through, Internet, and direct contacts with the interested. Some organs provide information in bulletins or journals such as "Environment and Space" bulletin published by the Ministry of the Environment and Physical Planning. It is distributed in over 1500 copies to ministries, local authorities, NGOs and international organizations. The Ministry of the Environment and Physical Planning regularly reports on environmental conditions and nuclear safety to the Government, the National Assembly and Slovenian citizens. The Annual Report for 1994 (nuclear and radiological safety in Slovenia) is available in public libraries, in some professional libraries and can also be found on the Internet (http://www.sigov.si/ursj/uvod.html). All research projects and studies financially supported by the Ministry are public and available, while the reports of international missions are available at the National and University Library, the Central Technical Library of Ljubljana and at the University Library of Maribor.

11.3. Raising awareness and education the public for effective participation in national environmental management initiatives as stated in the Agenda

Since 1990 in Slovenia the number of environmental protection and natural protection non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has been increasing rapidly, so that in January 1997 there were more than 100 such organizations.

Slovenian NGOs are relatively small in terms of the number of their members (up to 50 members). Larger membership is found in the Slovenian Federation of Environmental Protection Associations (incorporating 22 associations), the Slovenian Natural Sciences Association (800 members), the Slovenian Ecological Movement (310 members) and the Association for Observation and Examination of Birds (300 members). In addition, larger numbers of members are incorporated in professional associations (e.g. the Association of Engineers and Technicians of Forestry and Wood Processing) and in federations (e.g. the Slovenian Mountain Association). However, environmental and natural protection is not their basic activity.

Slovenian NGOs function at the local, regional, national and international levels. The scope of activity of NGOs is contextually very wide, covering all activities important for the environment, particularly education, upbringing and promotion of awareness; the drawing of the attention of government structures to environmental problems and proposing solutions; legislative initiatives; promotion of permanent development; participation in the monitoring of the state of the environment and nature, etc.

An important source of co-financing of NGO projects has been the Regional Center for the Environment for Central and Eastern Europe, a non-profit-making organization which opened its representative office in Ljubljana in February 1995.

In June this year, NGOs submitted to the government their initiatives and demands related to transport, i.e. to the construction of motorways, and prepared a contribution to Agenda 21 for Slovenia and for its public presentation. In both cases, NGOs joined their efforts in addressing national institutions and the media, for the purpose of affirmation and implementation of their views.

Despite the NGOs increasing cooperation in terms of joint operations, we can still observe lack of coordination and excessive competitiveness, which in some cases reduces the effectiveness of their operations. Ministry of the Environment and Physical Planning, financed 27 NGO projects in 1995, and 21 in 1996.

11.4. Comments

Good safety chemical culture is strongly connected with information. It can be said from experience that chemicals are under public control. Today, the open and authentic nature of information forwarded to the public and workers is a fundamental goal of the authorities dealing with chemicals. There are still some problems, however, considering that in the past information was often withheld from the public and that even now some politicians (along with media representativs) tend to follow their personal goals by manipulating information, the public often expresses its mistrust in this regard.

Further training and impruved public information is still required in the fild of chemicals management. NGOs should get more training in the fields of chemical safety, risk assessment, and interpretation of laboratory and field data. The public should be better informed about the potential risks of hazardous chemicals and should learn how to avoid such risks. It should also have online access to chemical databases and information about chemicals. The Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Health should be more open to the public ensuring access information about chemicals at locations convenient to the public.

The Institute for Pharmacology and Experimental Toxicology which is training center for future toxicologists has a special place in this regard. The center, however, should expand its activities as a public contact point and a training center for improving public awareness.

CHAPTER 12: RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND NEEDED FOR CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT

12.1. Resources Available and Needed in Goverment Ministries/Institutions

The purpose of Tables 12.A and 12.B is to provide an overview of resource availability and resource needs within the national government. Table 12.A addresses the existing resources available within government ministries and their agencies which deal with the management with chemicals. It includes information on the availability of professional personnel and particular skills, as well as financial resources. Table 12.B addresses the resources estimated to be needed by the ministries and their agencies in order to fulfil their responsibilities in the field of chemicals management.

Information on local and regional agencies or institutions for the management of chemicals is not included.

Table12.A:Resources Available in Government Ministries/Agencies

Table 12.B: Resources Needed by Goverment Ministries/Agencies to Fulfil Responsibilities related to Chemicals Management

12.3. Comments

The ministries, are involved in specific chemicals management, employ a minimal number of staff, qualified for chemicals management. As it can be seen from Table 12.A, the amount of financial resources available for chemicals management at all government ministries is too low. Plans are made to strengthen the number of qualified staff and to impruve training, particulary at the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Qualified staff who could deal with ecologic problems is particulary needed at the Ministry of Environment. The existing personnel needs additional training on analysis of chemical traces in the environment, interpretation of results, health and environment risk assessment, and industrial risk assessment.

Table 12. B gives the number of experts needed to coordinate chemicals management on the highest national level - graduated engineers (chemical, medical experts, experts from agronomy and work safety etc. ) are planed to be employed by the ministries. A number of improvements dealing with chemicals are under way in the Republic of Slovenia.

CHAPTER 13:

ORGANISATION OF PROTECTION AND RESCUE DURING DISASTERS CAUSED BY
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

13.1. Assessment of the situation

The Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Reilef, based at the Ministry of Defence shall, on the basis of the Law on Protection Against Natural and other Disasters (Official gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 64/94), performs the following duties, which are important in the protection against disasters caused by hazardous substances:

• prepares proposals for research and development projects on protection against natural and other disasters,
• prepares proposal for the national programme and plan of protection against natural and other disasters,
• is responsible for informing and raising the alarm during disasters caused by hazardous substances,
• makes an assessments of the level of danger and prepares other expert documentation necessary for planning protection, rescue and aid, and directs and coordinates measures for the prevention and reduction of the effects of natural and other disasters, in collaboration with other ministries,
• monitors and announces the threat of natural and other disasters and shall issue instructions for action,
• direct the organisation of local community protection, rescue and relief forces and organises forces for protection, rescue and aid for other purposes.

Protection and rescue action during disasters caused by hazardous substances shall include the following measures:

• informing, alerting and raising the alarm,
• acactivating forces for defence, rescue and relief,
• offering protection, rescue and relief,
• directing protection and rescue operations,
• executing emergency repair work.

In the implementation of the measures mentioned above, when performing protection and rescue operations during disasters caused by hazardous substances and during the removal of their effects, ministries shall establish mutual cooperation. Such cooperation shall be based on the agreement on mutual cooperation for protection and rescue and for the removal of the effects of disasters caused by hazardous substances, which was signed in 1996 by the Ministry of Labour Family and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of the Environment and Physical Planning, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Health.

During disasters caused by hazardous substances and during the removal of their effects, the ministries listed above shall cooperate especially in the following areas:

• informing and raising the alarm,
• providing information and communications support,
• taking preventive measures,
• offering protection and rescue and removing the effects of disasters,
• conducting inspection,
• training, and
• financing.

13.2. Preparation of protection and rescue plans

The fundamental aim of protection and rescue plans is to prevent the occurrence of disasters or to reduce their effects and to ensure the quickest provision possible of the basic living conditions in the affected area.

Protection and rescue plans shall be prepared by:

• the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief in collaboration with other ministries - government protection and rescue plans;
• municipalities - municipal protection and rescue plans;
• commercial enterprises, institutions and other organisations which, in their production process, use, manufacture, transport or store hazardous substances, oil and its derivatives and energy gases, and which perform activities or operate with such means of production as pose a potential danger for disaster;
• other commercial enterprises, institutions and of organisations determined by the mayor.

The protection and rescue plans shall regulate the following measures:

• informing, alerting and raising the alarm in the case of danger or during a disaster,
• mobilising and activating,
• directing protection, rescue and relief operations,
• executing protective measures,
• rescue and relief.

13.3. Observation, notification and warning

Observation, notification and warning in the care of danger or during a disaster shall be performed by information for centres. Their duties shall be:

• to gather, process and disseminate the information necessary for protection, rescue and aid,
• to inform inhabitants and raise the alarm about threat of danger and to issue instructions for personal and mutual protection,
• to notify and activate rescue services and other services offering protection, rescue and aid,
• to notify competent authorities, municipal and state bodies about dangers or disasters,
• to assist in the provision of logistic support.

Danger observation

The monitoring of danger shall be conducted on the basis of the following:

• information provided by inhabitants and organisations,
• observations or information provided by the fire brigade, mountain rescue services, spelaeologists, divers, foresters, hunters, fishermen, automobile associations, nautical associations, aviation clubs, railway, road and other commercial enterprises, institutions and organisations,
• information given by observatory and supervisory services, organised to monitor meteorological, hydrological, seismological, radiological, ecological and other circumstances,
• observations made by air space control services, and
• international exchanges of data and information.

All these services must provide information to the competent centre for information free of charge.

Slovenia is a member of the international Alert Emergency Warning System (AEWS), which is the Danubian alert warning system. This system includes all the countries in the Danube River basin, with the exception of some parts of the former Yugoslavia. This system serves to pass on information on sudden changes in the characteristics of water as a consequence of the spillage of hazardous substances. Communication is conducted via the Principal International Alert Centre (PIAC), with the assistance of satellite links. The PIAC in Slovenia is located at the state Centre for Information of the Republic of Slovenia (CIRS). Within the framework of the AEWS, the CIRS also keeps a data base on hazardous substances, "BIG", which includes data on hazardous instructions for action during a disaster caused by them.

The alarm signals applicable since 1 January 1998 are:

• warning about danger: uniform sound of the siren lasting two minutes,
• alert or direct danger: wailing sound of the siren lasting one minute,
• end of danger: uniform sound of the siren lasting 30 seconds,
• testing the siren: uniform sound of the siren, identical to the signal for end of danger.

13.4. Protection, rescue and relief forces

Protection, rescue and aid shall be offered by the following:

• the fire brigade, mountain rescue service, cave rescue service, divers, dog trainers, and the units and services of other associations and non-governmental organisations,
• commercial enterprises, institutions and other organisations which have the staff and material capabilities for performing protective, rescue and aid operations, upon authorisation by the competent state body or municipality,
• first aid units, first veterinary aid units, technical rescue units, radiological, chemical and biological protection units, and Civil Defence support services, and
• the Police and the Slovene Army, in accordance with the law.

Radiological, chemical and biological protection units shall be organised:

• in commercial enterprises, institutions and other organisations which use, manufacture, transport or store hazardous substances,
• in local communities, and
• within the framework of state bodies (13 regional units).

Radiological, chemical and biological protection units in commercial enterprises, institutions and other organisations shall perform duties in accordance with the dangers posed by their production process.

Municipal radiological, chemical and biological protection units shall offer inhabitants assistance in the implementation of protective measures and decontamination and shall provide protection for, and decontaminate water, food, livestock, fodder, equipment, technology, buildings and other facilities.

The regional units shall perform radiological, chemical and biological reconnaissance in the environment, shall investigate the presence, type and quantity of hazardous substances in the contaminated area, conduct field sampling, determine and identify the contaminated area, assess the success of decontamination and determine the end of the presence of radiological, chemical or biological danger.

The more complicated field and laboratory investigations and analyses shall be performed by the mobile team ecological laboratories from the Jo_ef Stefan Institute and the Maribor Institute for Health Care. The mobile units of these laboratories shall be kept on permanent alert.

13.5. Directing protection and rescue

In directing protection and rescue forces, the Government shall have the following competencies:

• guiding and coordinating the organisation, preparations and implementation of protection against disasters,
• approving the annual plan of protection against disasters,
• approving the national protection and rescue plan,
• directing protection, rescue and aid operations and removing the effects of big disasters,
• administering international aid during disasters.

In the municipal territory, the mayor shall be responsible for the following:

• the preparation of measures for protection against disasters,
• the approval of protection and rescue plans,
• the implementation of measures for the prevention and reduction of the effects of disasters,
• directing protection, rescue and relief operations during disasters,
• informing inhabitants about dangers, and about the situation regarding protection against disasters and the protective measures taken.

In order to facilitate the expert administration of protection, rescue and relief operations, the Government and mayors shall appoint commanders and organise civil protection headquarters.

Special competencies of civil protection commanders and heads of emergency operations

The civil protection commander or head of emergency operation shall have the right and obligation, while directing protection, rescue and relief operations, to deny access to unauthorised persons and traffic to the disaster area and shall have the right to order:

• the displacement of people, animals and property,
• entry into a house,
• the use of particular communications equipment or its installation,
• the removal of barriers preventing successful emergency intervention,
• the use of means of transportation owned by a third party for the transportation of injured persons or for the transportation of required protection, rescue and relief equipment,
• the compulsory participation of inhabitants in rescue operations in accordance with their capabilities and equipment that may be appropriate for rescue,
• the use of land in third party ownership for the purpose of conducting protection, rescue and relief operations,
• the demolition of a building or the cutting down of trees.

The civil protection commander or head of emergency operation shall order the above mentioned measures to be taken only if there is no other way of protecting people and property or of providing protection, rescue and relief.

Protection and rescue operations during accidents caused by hazardous substances on roads and the removal of their effects shall, in accordance with their competencies, be directed by:

• the police,
• the head of the emergency operation,
• the head of the regional branch of the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for the Protection of the Environment, based at the Ministry of the Environment and Physical Planning,
• the competent Civil Defence commander.

The duty of the police shall, above all, be to notify the Operations Communications Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs about the accident and its effects, and the Communications Centre, in turn, shall inform the Centre for Information. The police shall request the necessary assistance, protect the disaster area and the threatened area and they shall also organise emergency measures for protection and rescue and for the prevention of further damage until the arrival of the head of the emergency operation or the competent inspector.

The head of the rescue operation shall take over leadership in the implementation of protection and rescue measures and in the prevention of further damage, in accordance with the tasks of the emergency unit or team.

The head of the regional branch of the Republic of Slovenia for the Protection of the Environment, a department of the Ministry of the Environment and Physical Planning, shall be responsible for organising and coordinating, activities concerning:

• the assessment of danger,
• the protection of the endangered area,
• sampling,
• the coordination of measures intended for the protection of people’s and animals’ health and lives,
• the coordination of measures intended to prevent further damaging effects, and
• the repair of damage caused.

13.6. Measures taken during a disaster caused by hazardous substances

13.7. Repair work

The repairing of the damage after disasters caused by hazardous substances shall be carried out, primarily, by communal and other public services. Repair work shall normally be directed by the head of the regional branch of the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for the protection of the Environment, a department of the Ministry of the Environment and Physical Planning.

13.8. Comments

Primary requirements for successful rescue operations in the course of and after the disaster, are good organization of activities, carried out by a highly specialized teams using good equipment. Additional preventive measures are required, including simulations of possible scenarios, training of professionals and obtaining modern rescue equipment.

ANNEXES

ANNEX 1: GLOSSARY