SEPA Order 17 of 2003 (Measures for the Environmental Management of New Chemical Substances) requires notification for new chemical substances before manufacturing in or importing into China. The test data for China New Chemical Substance Notification (China NCSN) can be acquired via both Chinese and non-Chinese testing organizations, while an eco-toxicological test report for NCSN regular type must include data based on experiment using Chinese treated species in a Chinese based laboratory.

So in order to standardize the operational practice of the Chinese testing institutes and to ensure the accuracy and reliability of eco-toxicological test data required for China NCSN, the MEP released a notice of carrying out inspection for the related Chinese institutes during May to September of 2008. The inspection result   would serve as an important reference for evaluating whether the testing institute is eligible to provide eco-toxicological test data for China NCSN.

The inspection covers:

• The testing institute accreditation, personnel composition, quality management system, equipment and other hardware facilities;

• The equipped facilities and management measures for pollution prevention of laboratory waste;

• Testing and quality control records, etc.;

• On-site assessment of eco-toxicological testing