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China
MEE Order No. 12 Takes Effect (January 1st, 2021)
Starting from January 1st, 2021, the Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances (MEE Order No.12) took effect to replace MEP Order No.7 as the overarching regulatory framework for new chemical registration in China. The Guidance and three technical guidelines were released in late 2020 to facilitate businesses’ compliance with the overhauled scheme. (Read more)
China MEE Issues the Measures on the Management of Carbon Emission Trade (Trial) (January 5th, 2021)
On January 5th, 2021, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) issued the Measures on the Management of Carbon Emission Trade (Trial), aiming to standardize national carbon emissions trading and related activities. The Measures is scheduled to enter into effect on February 1st, 2021. To guarantee the implementation of the Measures, MEE will establish the National Carbon Emission Registration Institution and the National Carbon Emission Trading Institution, and develop corresponding IT systems to support the operation of the two institutions. (CL news)
China Approves 3 New Food Raw Materials, 5 New Food Additives and 7 New Varieties of Food Related Products (January 7th, 2021)
As revealed by the notice released on Jan 7, 2021, 15 substances were approved by China’s National Health Commission (NHC), including 3 new food raw materials, 5 new food additives and 7 new varieties of food related products. (CL news)
China Issues the Regulations on Management of Pollutant Discharge Permit (January 29th, 2021)
On January 29th, 2021, the State Council of China issued the Regulations on Management of Pollutant Discharge Permit (Decree No. 736 of the State Council). The Regulations specify the requirements for application and approval of pollutant discharge permit, responsibilities of pollutant discharge units, and supervision and inspection of administrations. The Regulations are scheduled to enter into effect on March 1st, 2021. (CL News)
South Korea
South Korea Publishes 17,045 Substances Pre-registered under Korea REACH (January 11th, 2021)
South Korea's MoE published the updated list of pre-registered substances under K-REACH. So far, a total of 187,494 pre-registration applications were submitted for 17,045 chemical substances. The pre-registered substances account for more than 38% of the existing chemical substances circulated in South Korea. (CL news)
South Korea Requires MSDS Submission and CBI Non-disclosure Application (January 16th, 2021)
Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to submit Korean MSDS and apply for Confidential Business Information (CBI) non-disclosure through the Korean IT system prior to manufacture or import from Jan 16, 2021. However, the existing MSDS authored or updated by pursuant according to the old regulation will be granted a transition period of up to five years based on annual quantity. Overseas manufacturers are allowed to appoint an only representative (OR) based in Korea to comply with the obligations.
South Korea Updates the Packaging Materials Recyclability Grade Evaluation Standard (January 7th, 2020)
On January 7, 2020, Korea MOE revised the Packaging Materials Recyclability Grade Evaluation Standards. The evaluation standards of glass bottles and PET bottles are modified. Situations of coating/coloring the body of the glass bottles and printing the labels directly on the glass bottle bodies are exempted from “difficult to recycle”. In addition, the PET bottles without labels or labeled on the bottle caps are upgraded as “best to recycle”. (Read More)
Japan
Japanese Authorities Update Manual for the Notification of Chemical Substances under CSCL (January 12th, 2021)
On January 12th, 2021, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) and Ministry of Environment (MoE) announced to update the Manual for the Notification of Chemical Substances under the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL). According to the updated manual, the authorities will only accept notifications for new chemicals via the website of the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE). Updates to the FAQ list, precautions for report preparation, etc., are also included. (Read more)
Thailand
Thailand Issues A New Draft of the Chemical Substance Act (January 7th, 2021)
On January 7th, 2021, Thailand IPCS under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a draft of the Chemical Substance Act, which is the 4th one. The number of articles of the Act has increased from 100 to 108, provisions on exemption conditions and management on special chemical substances are added, and specifications on chemical substances assessment and legal responsibilities are detailed. In addition, the authority and responsibilities of relevant administrations are further clarified, and transitional provisions for materials that are not chemical substances are specified as well. (CL News)
Australia
Australia Officially Adopts GHS Rev. 7 (January 1st, 2021)
On January 1st, 2021, Australia began a two-year transition from the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals Revision 3 (GHS 3) to Revision 7 (GHS 7). The website of Safe Work Australia, the country’s occupational health and safety regulator, published a webinar to help businesses get ready for the changes ahead. (Read more)
