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Chinese Mainland
China Implements the General Rules for Assessing Easy-to-Collect and Easy-to-Recycle Designs of Plastic Products (February 1st, 2021)
On February 1st, 2021, the General Rules for Assessing Easy-to-Collect and Easy-to-Recycle Designs of Plastic Products (T/CRRA 0302-2020) took effect officially. The General Rules provides the indicator system and methodology for assessing the easy-to-collect and easy-to-recycle (or “2E”) designs of plastic products, and can be used to guide the design and assessment of plastic products. Notably, it does not apply to degradable plastic products and plastic products which are listed in the National Inventory of Hazardous Wastes. (CL news)
China Consults on Revision to the Safe Production Law (February 2nd, 2021)
In early February 2021, China's top law-making body opened a public consultation on the revision to the Safe Production Law, which was deliberated and passed at an executive meeting of the Chinese State Council in late 2020. The proposed revision improved the principles for safe production and aimed to ensure the fulfillment of primary responsibilities by production and operations entities. (CL news)
China to Accelerate the Establishment of a Green, Low-Carbon, and Circular Development Economic System (February 2nd, 2021)
On February 2nd, 2021, the State Council of China issued the Instructions on Accelerating the Establishment and Improvement of a Green, Low-Carbon, and Circular Development Economic System, which clarified 85 main tasks from 6 different aspects. For the chemical industry, the manufacturing, transportation, use, and disposal, etc. will be influenced, and the reformation of industrial parks and clusters will impact the stakeholders as well. The Instruction will play an important role in the accomplishment of China’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets. (CL news)
China MEM Strengthens the Management of Major Hazard Source in Hazchem Enterprises (February 4th, 2021)
On February 4th, 2020, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management issued the Measures for the Safety Guarantee Responsibility System for Major Hazard Installations of Hazardous Chemical Enterprises (Trial), which entered into effect immediately and would be valid for 3 years. According to the Measures, hazardous chemicals enterprises need to appoint three safety responsible persons for each major hazard source in accordance with the Measures and disclose relevant information to the administration. Local administrations will take various supervision and inspection actions to assure the implementation of the safety guarantee responsibility system. (CL News)
Shanghai Authorities Vow to Strengthen Regulation of New Chemical Registration (February 18th, 2021)
In mid-February 2021, the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment released a notice, requiring administrations under its purview as well as relevant authorities to facilitate the smooth implementation of MEE Order No. 12 and strengthen the regulatory practices after the issuance of registration certificates. (CL news)
Taiwan, China
Taiwan Plans to List Hydrofluoric Acid as the Second Concerned Chemical
Taiwan EPA is planning to list hydrofluoric acid as the second concerned chemical substance under TCCSCA. Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is the first one listed on October 30th, 2020 as concerned chemical substance.
South Korea
South Korea Designates 8 New Toxic Chemicals (February 22nd, 2021)
On February 22nd, 2021, South Korea's National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) listed 29 new substances as toxic chemical substances (Given No. 2021-1-1009~2021-1-1037) after hazard evaluation under K-REACH by NIER Announcement No.2021-17. They are still considered new chemical substances in South Korea and require new chemical registration other than the original registrants. Transitional measures were provided for control of these toxic substances under CCA regulation. In addition, the information of a toxic chemical substances (Given No. 2003-1-537) that was previously designated were updated. The updates came into effective immediately. (Read more)
South Korea Updates GHS Classification List (February 22nd, 2021)
Published on February 22nd, 2021 by NIER Announcement No.2021-18, South Korea’s NIER announced the updates to the GHS Classification List, including adding mandatory classification and labelling elements for 29 toxic chemical substances (Given No. 2021-1-1009~2021-1-1037) and revising the classification information of 5 toxic chemical substances (Given No. 97-1-244, 2003-1-537, 2006-1-556, 2006-1-557, 2006-1-558) and 1 restricted chemical substance (Given No. 06-5-1) that were previously designated. (Read more)
South Korea Consults on the Packaging Material Requirements (February 24th, 2020)
On February 24th, South Korea’s MOE released two drafts about the packaging material requirements to solicit opinions. Suggestions are welcome prior to March 10th, 2021. The draft of the Guideline on Recycling Symbols proposed to label "unable to recycle" on unrecyclable packaging materials. This is intended to guide the consumers to send out the wastes separately. Besides, the recycling symbols were re-designed. The draft of the Standards of Labeling Quality and Structure of Packaging Material Grade proposed to exempt the enterprise with a recycling plan from labeling recyclability grade. The recycling rates of the relevant materials should remain 15% in 2023, 30% in 2025, and 70% in 2030 progressively.(CL news)
Japan
Japan Authorities Consult on Draft Revision to the Ordinance for Enforcement of CSCL (February 24th, 2021)
On February 24th, 2021, the Japanese authorities opened a public consultations on a draft revision to the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Chemical Substance Control Law (CSCL). The draft revision proposed to add o,p'-dicofol and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts into the List of Class I Specified Chemical Substances, to be aligned with a decision passed at the 9th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention. (Read more)
New Zealand
New Zealand Updates 208 Group Standards to Incorporate GHS Rev.7 Classifications
In November of 2020, New Zealand's Environmental Protection Authority announces that the government has approved the application of the GHS Rev.7 classification system for hazardous substances. The new system will replace the current HSNO classification system and enter into effect on April 30th, 2021. To transit to the new classification system, EPA has updated 208 group standards to incorporate GHS Rev.7. The updated group standards will enter into effect on April 30th, 2021, while transition period may be provided for some group standards. (Read More)
