Request a Demo
Chinese Mainland
China Consults on New Draft Law on Safety of Hazardous Chemicals (October 2nd, 2020)
On October 2nd, 2020, the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) published the new draft Law on Safety of Hazardous Chemicals to solicit public comments and suggestions. The draft Law aims to ensure that enterprises assume primary responsibility in hazardous chemical safety, and make clear the regulatory responsibilities of different authorities. Once officially published, it is expected to wield a tremendous amount of influence over the chemical sector. (ChemLinked News)
China to Launch the Autumn and Winter Action Plan for Air Pollution Management in Yangtze River Delta Region (October 15th, 2020)
On October 15th, 2020, the China Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) issued the draft of 2020-2021 Autumn and Winter Action Plan for Comprehensive Atmospheric Pollution Management in Yangtze River Delta Region. According to the Action Plan, local administrations will fasten the implementation of industrial structure adjustment and focus on the comprehensive management of chemical parks. Enterprises with poor performance in daily air pollutant treatment are very likely to face mandatory production cuts or could even be required to stop production when there is evidence for heavy pollution weather. (ChemLinked News)
China Officially Releases the Export Control Act (October 17th, 2020)
On October 17th, 2020, the Export Control Act of the People’s Republic of China was approved at the 22nd Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress, and scheduled to come into force on December 1st, 2020. Exporters shall be qualified before operating the export of controlled items. When exporters plan to export the controlled items or temporary controlled items listed in the inventories, they shall apply for a permit from the administrations. The Act also emphasizes the protection of national security and interests. (ChemLinked News)
China Consults on Draft Revision on Measures on Transfer of Hazardous Waste (October 21st, 2020)
On October 21st, 2020, the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published a notice, announcing to consult on the draft revision to the Measures on Environmental Management of Transfer of Hazardous Wastes, with a view to ensuring alignment with the new law on solid wastes and improving regulation of hazardous waste transfer. (ChemLinked News)
China Includes 28 Substances into Existing Chemical Substances Inventory (October 23rd, 2020)
On October 23rd, 2020, the China MEE published a notice, announcing to include 28 substances into the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (IECSC). The new additions are comprised of two parts, including 10 qualified new chemical substances which were registered under SEPA Order No. 17 of 2003, and 18 qualified new chemical substances which were registered under MEP Order No. 7 of 2010. (ChemLinked News)
China MEE Publishes Transitional Arrangements for MEE Order No. 12 (October 27th, 2020)
On October 27th, 2020, the China MEE published the Notice on Transitional Arrangements for Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances, as part of the moves to facilitate the upcoming implementation of MEE Order No. 12 and ensure the orderly continuity of the new chemical registration work during the transition from the old to the new scheme. (ChemLinked News)
Taiwan, China
Taiwan Publishes Revised Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Hazard Prevention and Response Plan Regulations (October 21st, 2020)
On October 21st, 2020, Taiwan published the revised Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Hazard Prevention and Response Plan Regulations to align with the Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Control Act (TCCSCA). A two-year grace period is granted for handlers that that have submitted hazard prevention and response plans before November 1, 2020 when the revised Regulations took effect. (ChemLinked News)
Nitrous Oxide Listed as Concerned Chemical in Taiwan (October 30th, 2020)
On October 30, 2020, Taiwan EPA listed nitrous oxide as the first concerned chemical substance under TCCSCA. The tighter regulations took effect immediately while leaving six months for current handlers to obtain the approval for its manufacture, import, sale, use and storage. (ChemLinked News)
Japan
Japan to Mandate Preparation of SDS and Labels for Benzyl Alcohol (October 16th, 2020)
On October 16th, 2020, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) published draft amendments to the Cabinet Order and the Ordinance of the Industrial Safety and Health Law (ISHL) to solicit public comments. The draft amendments aim to mandate SDS and labelling requirements for Benzyl alcohol and products containing no less than 1% of the substance. (Read More)
South Korea
South Korea Consults on Draft CBI Protection Rules under K-REACH (October 7th, 2020)
On October 7th, 2020, South Korea's Ministry of Environment (MoE) published draft rules for application of CBI protection under K-REACH by MoE Notice No.2020-828. The Rules provide details regarding submission materials, application process, application rejections and appeals, etc. As expected the Rules will come into force on January 16th, 2021. (Read more)
South Korea Publishes Hazard Evaluation Results of New Substances Registered under K-REACH (October 8 and October 27th, 2020)
On October 8th, 2020, South Korea's National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) published the hazard evaluation results of new chemical substances registered under K-REACH by NIER Announcement No. 2020-40, including adding hazard evaluation results of 169 new substances (No.2020-170 to 2020-266) and updating the chemical name or hazard evaluation results of several new substances previously assessed (Read More). In addition, on October 27th, NIER updated the hazard evaluation results of 11 new substances by NIER Announcement No.2020-47. (Read More)
South Korea Publishes 16,988 Pre-registered Substances under K-REACH (October 16th, 2020)
On October 16th, 2020, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) updated the list of pre-registered substances under K-REACH. So far, a total of 185,728 pre-registration applications were submitted for 16,988 chemical substances, accounting for more than 38% of the existing chemical substances circulated in South Korea. (ChemLinked News)
South Korea Publishes the Revised Act on the Safety Control of Hazardous Substances (October 20th, 2020)
The revised Act on the Safety Control of Hazardous Substances (Old: Fire Service Act) was published as Law No.17518 on October 20th, 2020 and will come into force one year later. A new Article 11-2 for operation suspension of factories was added. In addition, changes have been made to Article 12 (revocation of permission for construction of factory and suspension of use), Article 18 (regular check and inspection), 31 (fees), 35 & 36 (penalty) and 39 (administrative fines) (Read More). Its Enforcement Rules was revised on October 12, 2020 (Read More).
Australia
Australia Expected to Adopt a Milestone Legislation for Waste Management (October 28th, 2020)
Recently, the Australian House of Representatives passed the Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020, a milestone step in the country’s waste management endeavors. The Bill is currently with the Senate where further amendments on provisions concerning plastics and packaging will be considered in November this year. After being put in place officially, it will exercise a ban on the export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres. (ChemLinked News)
Vietnam
WTO Notifies Members on Vietnam Technical Regulation for Safety of Hazardous Chemicals (October 6th, 2020)
On October 6th 2020, WTO issued a series of notifications to release 10 national technical regulations on chemicals or chemical products and solicit comments from member countries, including the National technical regulation on safety in the process of producing, storage, transportation and use of hazardous chemicals - General regulation. This regulation specifies general requirements for safety in production, storage, transportation and use of dangerous chemicals. It is applicable to organizations and individuals involved in production, storage, transportation and use of dangerous chemicals in the territory of Vietnam and other related organizations and individuals. (ChemLinked News)
Vietnam Reopens the Substance Nomination Window for the National Chemical Inventory (October 16th, 2020)
On October 16th, 2020, Vietnam's Department of Chemicals under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) issued a notice to inform enterprises that the nomination system of the National Chemical Inventory (NCI) has been reopened. From the issuance date of the notice to April 15th, 2021, domestic enterprises could submit information on chemicals that have been imported, manufactured, and used in Vietnam. After review, the submitted chemicals may be included in NCI. Any chemicals proposed by the Vietnamese enterprises should be supported by detailed information, including chemical name, CAS number, Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), and documents proving the chemical has been used in Vietnam (e.g., purchase contract or invoice, etc.) (ChemLinked News)
Malaysia
Malaysia Releases the 2019 CIMS Summary Report of Hazardous Substance Inventory (October 30th, 2020)
On October 30th, 2020, Malaysia’s Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) published the Summary Report of Hazardous Chemical Inventory 2019 from Chemical Information Management System (CIMS). From 1284 accounts on CIMS, a total of 3913 inventory submissions for 2019 were received, in which 3399 inventories were acknowledged with the rest being rejected. The quantity of hazardous chemicals imported and manufactured to be supplied for use at the workplace is high, and the hazards from chemicals exist all over Malaysia. Therefore, DOSH is considering implementing some drastic and practical measures including tightening the importation procedure in Malaysia to protect human health and the environment. (ChemLinked News)
