Global Chemical Regulation Highlights | November 2022

China

On November 7, 2022, the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) of the People’s Republic of China issued a notice to make public the update of the China Inventory of Hazardous Substances. From January 1, 2023, diesel fuel will be subject to obligations under Decree 591 regardless of flash point. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in China:

• China Issues Standard for Electroplating-silver Effect Coatings
  

• China Releases New Standard for SVHCs and Restricted Chemicals in Automotive Industry

• Shanghai Customs to Pilot Reform of Inspection Mode of Imported Hazardous Chemicals

• China Adopts Yellow River Protection Law

• China Implements New Standards for Children’s Products

• China Announces Action Plan for Standardized Carbon Measurement System

• How to Prove Your Polymers are Eligible for Record Notification under MEE Order No.12?

• China to Pilot Differential Supervision on Occupational Disease Risks

• Shanghai Drafts Work Plan for New Pollutants Treatment

• China Updates OELs Standard for Hazardous Agents in Workplace

• China Revises Provisions on the Administration of Road Transport Practitioners

• Taiwan Revises Labeling and SDS Regulation for Toxic and Concerned Chemical

• Analysis | Labeling of Toxic and Concerned Chemicals in Taiwan

On November 23, 2022, South Korea’s Ministry of Environment (MoE) published 11 candidate substances (e.g., benzene, bisphenol A, DBP, BBP, etc.) to be included in the K-REACH Authorization List. Stakeholders can submit comments or information associated with these substances online（www.chemnavi.or.kr）from December 15, 2022 to February 13, 2023. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in South Korea:

• South Korea Adds 8 Reproductive Toxic Substances as “Hazardous Substances subject to Control”

• South Korea to Update Hazard Assessment Results of Registered Chemicals under K-REACH

• South Korea Inspects MSDS Compliance, 120 Companies Fined

• South Korea Consults on Strontium Chromate Restrictions in Coatings

• South Korea Simplifies Import Requirements for 13 Restricted Toxic Chemicals

• South Korea Adopts Hazard Assessment Results of 347 New Chemicals Registered under K-REACH

• South Korea Updates Guide for Reaction Products Registration under K-REACH

• South Korea to Allow Non-disclosure of Registration/Notification Number under K-REACH for CBI Concerns

• South Korea to Update Quantity Limits for Toxic Substances that Require Submitting Chemical Accident Prevention Management Plan

Japan opened a public consultation on a ministerial notice to clarify the definition of “carcinogenic substances” regulated under the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, a subordinate regulation to the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHL). As proposed, “carcinogenic substances” (excluding ethanol) are those classified as category 1 for carcinogenicity in accordance with the Japanese Industrial Standard JIS Z 7252. It is expected to be promulgated in early December and take effect on April 1, 2023. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in Japan:

• Japan to Align Maritime Transport Rules for Dangerous Goods with IMDG Code 2022 Edition

• Japan Clarifies Notification Requirements for New Chemicals Manufactured < 10t/y in 2023

• Japan Clarifies Notification Requirements for New Chemicals Manufactured < 1t/y in 2023

• Japan Adds 3 Precursor Chemicals subject to Export Approval

On November 9, 2022, Australian Government opened a public consultation on the first proposed decisions under the Industrial Chemicals Environment Management Standard - IChEMS. Comments are welcome before December 7, 2022. The proposed decisions cover 8 chemicals, of which HBB, HCBD and PCN are proposed to be listed on IChEMS Register in Schedule 7 and shall be prohibited from import, manufacture and use in Australia. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in Australia:

• AICIS Risk-management Recommendations Register in Now Available

• FAQ | Expert's Insights into Industrial Chemical Environmental Management in Australia

• Australia Adopts Rules for Chemical Introductions at Low Volumes

• Australia Adds 8 Chemicals in to AIIC and Revokes CBI Approval of 1 Chemical

• Australia Seeks Information on PFAS Chemicals

European Union and United Kingdom

On November 29, 2022, UK’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) made public the results of the consultation on extending the current UK REACH submission deadlines, which ran for 8 weeks and closed on September 1, 2022. The DEFRA will be bringing forward secondary legislation, subject to the consent of the Scottish and Welsh governments, to extend the UK REACH submission deadlines by 3 years in line with this government response. (Read more)

More regulation highlights in EU and UK:

• Court of Justice of EU annuls carcinogen classification of titanium dioxide

• ECHA: One in four substances recovered from waste non-compliant with REACH

• ECHA Launched 18 New Consultations on Testing Proposals, Comments are Welcome before 12 January 2023

• A list of fluorinated gas (F gas) incumbent quota holders and authorization managers in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for the 2021 to 2023 reference period

• How to record and report ozone-depleting substances (ODS) you import, export, sell or destroy in Great Britain