Doha: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC), represented by the Hazardous Chemicals and Waste Department, organised the third awareness forum for companies operating in the field of hazardous chemicals and waste. Participating in this event were representatives from the General Directorate of Civil Defence (GDCD) at the Ministry of Interior and the General Authority of Customs (GAC).
According to Qatar News Agency, the forum was intended to strengthen the companies’ awareness of chemical safety, support collaboration among national entities, and explore best global practices and national regulatory legislation to securely handle chemical substances and reduce the risks associated with handling, dumping, and utilizing them.
Director of the Industrial Inspection and Pollution Control Department at MECC, Dr. Mohammad Ayed Al Shammari, stated that organising this forum is part of the ministry’s efforts to bolster the chemical safety system and elevate the surveillance level on handling chemical substances in the State of Qatar. The forum acts as a national platform bringing together public and private agencies to reinforce collaboration and share expertise, which is crucial in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring the highest safety levels in dealing with these substances.
Al Shammari emphasized that MECC prioritizes upgrading statutory and operational measures related to this sector. The department has made progress, including launching and modernizing electronic services to accelerate procedures, streamline the submission process, and optimize users’ experience based on transparency and accuracy.
The forum offered an opportunity to showcase best practices, review modern legislation, discuss challenges onsite, and introduce initiatives to enhance risk reduction and safety levels, supporting the nation’s goal of protecting the environment and public health. Al Shammari acknowledged the participation of national agencies like GDCD and GAC, noting their critical roles in surveillance, contingency plan responses, and ensuring the safe handling of chemical substances across various ports.
The event featured a primer on national environmental legislation related to chemical substances, hazardous materials classification, procedures for clearance and surveillance, and open panel discussions aimed at sharing expertise and promoting communication with the private sector.
Additionally, GDCD presented a primer on global best practices in storing chemical substances and their classification per the National Fire Protection Association’s standards, exploring risk assessment methodologies and impact mitigation. GAC reviewed surveillance mechanisms on chemical substances at border ports, recent measures for regulating their entry and exit, and various matters related to surveillance and chemical supply security.