Hazardous Substances Management Policy.

The Hazardous Substances Management Policy lays down targets to prevent or minimize the public and environmental health risks associated with importation, exportation, handling, collection, transportation, treatment and storage of toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes in Barbados.
Control will be conducted over the volume and diversity of toxic substances and hazardous wastes that are imported into, exported from, or trans-shipped through Barbados. No hazardous substance will be allowed into Barbados except that it is: (i) sanctioned for local use by the designated competent authority and not on the list of banned substances; (ii) supported by the appropriate importation approvals; (iii) adequately classified, labelled and declared in accordance with the requirements of the Customs and Excise department as well as international standards. Hazardous substances exports will be appropriately documented in accordance with the national guidelines and standards, and in compliance with the requirements of the exporting and importing country. A manifest system will be defined and implemented to track the importation, handling, transportation and ultimate exportation for treatment and diposal of toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes in Barbados. A database will be established and maintained to control and manage the movement of these toxic chemicals and hazardous wastes.
Domestic hazardous substances handling and transportation regime will be established. All persons involved in the handling of hazardous substances will be appropriately protected in accordance with the legislation governing occupational health and safety and workers' rights. The transport of hazardous materials shall be accompanied with the relevant documents. Staff at the port and the carrier companies will be trained on material identification, handling and spills. The classifications of hazardous materials will be taken into account in terms of handling and transportation of mixed materials, noting the inherent risk of reactivity. In addition, measures will be taken to safely segregate wastes that are not compatible. During transport, all approved vehicles will be appropriately labelled with the relevant hazardous material pictorial marking(s) in the Barbados National Standard (BNS 44: 1978).
An appropriate regulatory mechanism will be established for storage, manufacture, distribution of hazardous substances and waste disposal. On-site storage facilities will comply with the guidelines prescribed by the designated national authority, and be of sufficient size to handle the scale of business operation. Stock rotation and general storeroom management practices will be encouraged in all relevant business sectors. Stock inventories and stock rotation records will be maintained by all businesses involved in the importation, manufacture, and distribution of hazardous substances. As a minimum requirement, containers containing hazardous substances will at all times be so labeled to indicate (a) the trade name, (b) hazardous ingredient, (c) handling precautions, (d) the hazard classification and risk to exposure, and (e) expiry date. All labels will comply with the provisions of the relevant National Standards. Environmental discharges will be subject to fines and other penalties. Contingency plans will be established to combat environmental discharges in accidental\emergency situations, and to remedy the associated public and environmental health effects. On-site hazardous waste storage of large quantities will be strongly discouraged and subject to penalties. A standard will be set to establish allowable maximum on-site storage volume. Wastes will be routinely transported to the National Waste Chemical Storage Facility for storage prior to disposal. Waste reduction practices and the use of less hazardous alternatives in the production cycle will be encouraged. A Hazardous Chemicals Appeals Tribunal will be established hear and make rulings on appeals to the decisions taken by the Hazardous Chemical Control Board. Existing pesticide control regulations will be reviewed.