In late October this year, the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) published the List of Criteria for Categorized Rectification of Hazardous Chemical Enterprises (2020) [1] (hereinafter referred to as the List) and the Catalogue of Obsolete Technologies and Equipment to be Phased out for Production Safety of Hazardous Chemicals (Batch 1) [2](hereinafter referred to as the Catalogue), with an aim of providing instructions on ensuring the safety of workplaces associated with hazardous chemicals.
The List is devised, on a qualitative basis, to identify major risks and hidden problems in the production of hazardous chemicals. It specifies:
Ø 4 criteria for enterprises which should be subject to suspension or cancellation of production safety permits, including enterprises which use obsolete processes or technological equipment which are explicitly phased out by the State;
Ø 17 criteria for enterprises which should stop production for rectification, temporarily halt production or stop using relevant facilities and equipment, including enterprises which have not put in place an accountability for production safety; and
Ø 14 criteria for enterprises which should make rectifications within a given time limit, including hazardous chemical manufacturers which do not provide SDSs or attach or affix chemical safety labels on the package of their products.
The Catalogue is developed to facilitate the implementation of the List, as the production safety permits of enterprises using obsolete technologies and equipment may be suspended or cancelled. It specifies 4 obsolete technologies and 8 kinds of obsolete equipment to be prohibited. The Catalogue also provides time limits and recommended alternative technologies or equipment.
The two lists are expected to be a great boost to workplace safety associated with hazardous chemicals. Local authorities are called on to establish lists of their own versions in light of specific conditions, and supporting policies and measures will be introduced and put in place soon.
