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China Publishes List of Controlled Ozone Depleting Substances (October 8, 2021)
On October 8, 2021, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published the revised List of Controlled Ozone Depleting Substances in China (Announcement No. 44 of 2021) (hereinafter referred to as the List), which took effect immediately. The List of 2010 version was abrogated at the same time. Compared to the latest version of the List for consultation, there were no changes in this final revised version. (CL news)
China to Tighten New Pollutants Management, Industries Facing Challenges on Source Control over Toxic and Hazardous Chemical Substances (October 11, 2021)
On October 11, 2021, the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published a notice to seek public feedback on the draft Action Plan for New Pollutants Treatment (hereinafter referred to as the draft Plan). The draft Plan outlines the general requirements, goals and six major measures for new pollutants treatment, as well as the first batch of new pollutants for priority management in the annex. The consultation will end on October 22, 2021. (CL news)
China MEE Adds 23 Substances into IECSC (October 18, 2021)
On October 18, 2021, the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published a notice, announcing that 23 substances were included into the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (IECSC). This is the fifth batch of existing substances that were added into the inventory after IECSC supplementation window was opened in June 2019 (ChemLinked News). The other four batches were included into the IECSC last year and earlier this year. (CL news)
15 New Food Ingredients and Food-related Products Granted Approval in China (October 22, 2021)
As revealed by the notification released on Oct. 22, 2021, China National Health Commission (NHC) officially approved the use of 15 new food ingredients and food-related products, including one new food raw material, nine new food additives and five food-related products. (CL news)
China to Strengthen Enforcement of the Law on Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste (October 22, 2021)
On October 22, a joint meeting of the 31st meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress was held to review the enforcement of the revised Law of on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste (hereinafter referred to as the Law). In regard to practical supervision, Minister Huang Runqiu of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) introduced the endeavors made by MEE. (CL news)
China Consults on 34 National Food Safety Standards, Including 10 for Food Related Products (October 25, 2021)
On October 25, 2021, China opens 34 national food safety standards for public feedback, including the revisions to "GB 4806.11-2016 National Food Safety Standard Rubber Materials and Articles in Contact with Foodstuffs" and "GB 4806.7-2016 National Food Safety Standard Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Foodstuffs". Compared to the 2016 version of these two standards, the two consultation drafts mainly amend the application scope, definition, technique requirements, requirements for immigration test and labeling requirements. (CL news)
China Rolls out Action Plan to Peak Carbon Emissions by 2030 (October 26, 2021)
On October 26, 2021, the State Council of China issued a notice to publish the Action Plan to Hit Carbon Emission Peak Before 2030, which is formulated in accordance with the sweeping policy guidance on the country's path to carbon neutrality goals jointly released by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council. Share of non-fossil fuels in energy consumption is to reach 25 percent by 2030, with targeted drop of 65 percent in carbon emission intensity from the 2005 level. (CL news)
South Korea
South Korea to Use QR Code on Household Chemical Products Subject to Safety Confirmation
On August 26, 2021, the South Korean online chemical management system (CHEMP) published a notice to invite industries to join in a pilot project for using quick response (QR) codes on household chemical products subject to safety confirmation. Scanning the QR codes enables consumers to access up to 23 items of product information, such as the safety standard confirmation mark, notification approval number, product name, and uses, etc. The South Korea QR code pilot project is currently only for disinfectants. However, it may be extended to all listed 39 types of household chemical products subjected to safety confirmation in K-BPR by 2022. (CL news)
K-REACH New Requirements for Supply Chain Communication
On August 27, 2021, South Korea's Ministry of Environment (MoE) issued a notice for the changes of Article 20 of the Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (a.k.a. “K-REACH”) and Article 36 of the K-REACH Enforcement Rules, aiming to clarify the method of information transmission and simplify the information required to transfer to downstream links for some chemical substances. The revision took effect immediately. (CL news)
South Korea to Update Quantity Limits for Hazardous Chemicals that Require Submitting Chemical Accident Prevention Management Plan (October 8, 2021)
Published on October 8, 2021, by MoE Notice No. 2021-676, South Korea’s Ministry of Environment (MoE) is now consulting on the amendments to the Regulation on the Stipulated Quantities for Toxic Substances, Restricted Substances, Prohibited Chemical Substances, and Substances subject to Authorization (hereafter referred to as the Regulation). Public comments are welcome before October 28, 2021. (CL news)
Japan
Japan Releases Revised Chemical Substance Lists under PRTR (October 15, 2021)
On October 15, 2021, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and the Ministry of the Environment jointly announced that the revised Enforcement Order of the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Law is expected to be officially published on October 20, 2021 and will be implemented on April 1, 2023. The number of Class I substances and Class II substances was respectively increased from 462 to 515 and from 100 to 134. (CL news)
India
India consults on migration limits for substances in infant plastic feeding bottle (October 19, 2021)
On October 19, 2021, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) published a notice to consult on Indian Standard (IS) 14625 : 2015 Plastics Feeding Bottles, which proposes setting maximum migration limits for substances in infant plastic feeding bottles. The deadline for comments is November 17. (Read more)
India consults on migration limits for substances in HDPE squeezable food tubes (October 20, 2021)
On 20 October, 2021, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) published a notice to consult on Indian Standard (IS) 17480: 2020, which proposes setting maximum migration limits for toxic substances in high density polyethylene multi squeezable tube for packaging food. The deadline for comments is November 13. (Read more)
The Philippines
Philippines Consults on Mandatory Requirements for Mercury Added Products (October 12, 2021)
On October 12, 2021, the Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) issued the Draft Department Administrative Order (DAO) on the New Technical Regulation Concerning the Mandatory Product Certification of Mercury Added Products (hereinafter referred to as Technical Regulation) for public consultation, proposing requirements for restrictions, labelling and certification of certain electrical and electronic products. The deadline for comments is December 7, 2021. (CL news)
The Philippines Issues Two CCOs on Cadmium and Its Compounds and Chromium VI Compounds (October 22, 2021)
The Philippine Environment Management Bureau (EMB) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued the Chemical Control Order (CCO) for Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds (DAO 2021-08) on October 22, 2021 and the Chemical Control Order (CCO) for Chromium VI Compounds (DAO 2021-08) on October 26, 2021. They will take effect fifteen days after publication. In the Philippines, cadmium compounds and chromium VI compounds are already included in the Priority Chemicals List (PCL). Companies previously completed PCL certification or exemption of these substances are also subject to the CCO requirements. (CL news)
