China Asks for Comments on Simplified Hazardous Chemical Registration Forms

摘要

China's Ministry of Environmental Protection is proposing a much simplified process for companies to register to use existing hazardous chemicals in the country. A pair of proposals would require that in order to obtain environmental registrations for those chemicals, companies would only have to provide information about their operations, the chemicals they are using, and details on possible environmental risk from use of those chemicals, the ministry said Oct. 23. Rules in place since 2013 have required companies to provide details about production processes and techniques, environmental protection measures being taken to reduce risk, chemical volumes and a risk assessment report. Companies have been "very reluctant" to follow the regulations, said Jane Zhou, a regulatory analyst at REACH24H Consulting Group in Hangzhou. The proposed changes would apply to substances with a general hazardous chemicals classification. Those classified as priority hazardous chemicals-fewer than 100 chemicals that are persistent, bio-accumulative or highly toxic-would continue to be subject to more stringent registration guidelines.