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On October 18, 2024, Thailand’s Department of Industrial Works (DIW) made public on its website two official documents regarding packaging requirements for volatile chemicals and certain products containing them. They were jointly signed by ministers of the Ministry of Industry (MOI) and the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) as per Section 24 Paragraph 2 of the Act Promulgating the Narcotics Code B.E. 2564 (2021):
Ministerial Regulation on Specification of Signs or Text on Containers or Packages of Volatile Chemicals B.E. 2567 (2024)
The Ministerial Regulation 2024 was signed on 22 August 2024, and published in the Royal Gazette on 23 August 2024. It will take effect on 21 December 2024, and replace the current Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2534 (1991) issued under the Royal Decree to Prevent the Use of Volatile Chemicals B.E. 2533 (1990).
Announcement on Identification of Names and Groups of Volatile Chemicals B.E. 2567 (2024)
The Announcement 2024 was signed on 15 January 2024, and published in the Royal Gazette on 23 January 2024. It has taken effect on 22 February 2024.
Key provisions
The Ministerial Regulation 2024 stipulates that manufacturers or importers of regulated volatile chemicals and specified products containing them must ensure that their containers or packages meet specific requirements before circulation. It mandates that the following information must be presented on the containers or packages:
The term "Volatile Chemical".
The name and location of the manufacturer or importer.
The quantity of the contents in metric units.
The chemical names and proportions of all volatile components.
Instructions for use and storage.
A warning sign stating “Do not inhale. May be life-threatening” (accompany with a specific symbol - a black skull and crossbones in a solid red circle, see figure below).
Warning Sign
Texts specified in items 1 and 6 shall be presented in red letters on a white background, while the other information should be visible in appropriate colors and sizes. Additionally, other languages can be used for items 1 and 6, provided they convey the same meaning as Thai text and are not larger than the Thai text.
Target chemicals and products
According to the Announcement 2024, the following groups of chemicals, including chemicals with the same chemical structure, shall be classified as volatile chemicals. A list of regulated volatile chemicals is provided (see table below).
The Announcement 2024 also stipulates target products, including:
Thinners
Lacquers
Synthetic organic adhesives based on neoprene or vinyl resin
Natural organic adhesives based on rosin, natural rubber (isoprene), or cellulose compounds
Science balloons or plastic balloons (blowing balloons)
If these products contain one or more of the specified chemicals in the table above, they are considered volatile chemicals and shall comply with the packaging requirements in the Ministerial Regulation 2024.
Exemption
Notably, for containers or packages holding more than 550 milliliters or 550 grams, manufacturers or importers may be exempt from the abovementioned requirements if they have already presented marks, signs, or text following other laws.
Moreover, before the Ministerial Regulation 2024 takes effect on December 21 this year, all volatile chemicals produced, imported, or sold with labeling that adheres to the Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2534 (1991) will still be considered compliant.
