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Editor's Note: This article was originally published in July 2023 to analyze the draft amendments to the Permit Registration and Approval Regulations for Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances, and was updated on June 12, 2024 to introduce the finalized version.
On June 11, 2024, Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment (MOE) published the revised Permit Registration and Approval Regulations for Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations), consistent with the proposed draft. The Regulations came into effect immediately.
So far, 341 toxic chemical substances and 18 concerned chemical substances have been designated in Taiwan. Permits, registration documents or approval documents are required for their manufacture, import, export, sale, use, storage, transportation and disposal. The amendments mainly aim to enhance the review process for these applications and integrate with applications for other environmental permits.
Proposed draft in July 2023 On July 11, 2023, Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) proposed amendments to the Permit Registration and Approval Regulations for Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances. Public comments are welcome before August 10, 2023. Below are the major amendments proposed. Application materials The amendments propose new documentation requirements for the manufacture or use of toxic and concerned chemical substances. Manufacturers or users must provide a comprehensive diagram illustrating the flow of waste air, waste water, pollutants, and toxic and concerned chemical substances throughout the entire plant (facility). This diagram will serve as a reference for regulatory authority's review of permit/registration/approval applications, as well as modifications or extensions of permits/registration documents/approval documents. In addition, these applications shall be submitted at the same time with other applications for environmental permits, such as permits for stationary pollution sources. Review scope and time limit The scope of review by municipal and county (city) regulatory agencies will be limited to the applications, modifications, or extensions of permits/registration documents/approval documents. No new obligations beyond those specified in the regulation shall be imposed. The time limit for issuing permits/registration documents/approval documents will be 14 days after the applicant has made the necessary information publicly available under the regulation. Storage requirements For concerned chemical substances that are not designated as “hazardous”, they will need to provide the required documents for storage in commercial storage facilities, self-managed storage sites, and storage sites serving as warehouses for loading and unloading unspecified toxic and concerned chemical substances whether by maritime transport or air cargo. |
