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| 2023/2/16 |
| Guard food safety, protect health and ensure safety: EPA announces 15 concerned chemical substances in 3 categories
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| Department:Evaluation Management Division, Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau (TCSB)
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Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has added 15 concerned chemical substances in 3 categories – including 5 chemical substances with food safety risks and concern, 8 explosive precursor chemicals and 2 new psychoactive substances – on January 12, 2023. EPA aims to enforce the production, import, sale, use, storage and transport of these substances by evaluating the operational risk and announcing explosive precursor chemicals as hazardous concerned chemical substances. To avoid the improper use harming human health and the environment, handlers shall obtain approval documents before February 1, 2024.
EPA indicated that lead tetroxide (commonly known as red lead or minium), which had been announced as a chemical substance with food safety concern, was added to the prohibited medicine “cinnabar” by a Chinese medicine clinic in Taichung in August 2020. Long term ingesting lead tetroxide will cause lead poisoning because of the lead accumulate of bone. Lead poisoning can result in ataxia, epilepsy, coma, neuropathy (e.g., encephalopathy) or harms to multiple organs, such as kidney, heart, reproductive system and endocrine system. Therefore, to protect public health, EPA has announced lead tetroxide as a concerned chemical substance with the aspiration to prevent such incidents by the source control.
In addition, EPA also announced lead monoxide, which was added to century egg to shorten its production process; sodium sulfide, which was added to stinky tofu to create the sulfide smell that stinky tofu has; and sodium thiocyanate and β-naphthol, which were added to dairy product or soy sauce to extend their shelf life, as concerned chemical substances due to their food safety risk and concern.
EPA further selected calcium ammonium , which was used as the raw material of dynamite by international terrorists; ammonium perchlorate, sodium perchlorate, sodium nitrate and calcium nitrate, which are the raw materials of firecrackers and fireworks and were made into homemade bombs (so-called improvised explosive device) in domestic explosion cases; nitromethane and sodium azide, which are easy to cause violent explosion in the case of high temperatures or impact; and aluminum phosphide, which is highly reactive with water/acid that result in decomposition to phosphine gas, that can spontaneously ignites and explodes when it reacts with oxidizing agents at high temperatures. As the abovementioned 8 explosive precursor chemicals can cause public safety threats and harm human health, EPA has, due to the characteristics of these substances, listed them as hazardous concerned chemical substances.
To prevent adolescent health from being threatened by new psychoactive substances, EPA has, based on the list of chemical substances reported by worldwide nations to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, listed 1,4-butanediol and (S)-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-1,2,9,10-tetramethoxy-6-methyl-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline, which had not been announced as drugs, as concerned chemical substances first.
EPA pointed out that the production, import, sale, use, storage and transport of chemical substances with food safety risk concern and new psychoactive substances have to be controlled based on the “Four Yes” (yes to obtaining an approval, labeling, recording every transaction and doing monthly declaration) and “Two No” (no to online transactions and using without approval) control measures; and that the containers of chemical substances with food safety risk concern have to be labeled with the Chinese words of “prohibited from use in food”. As for explosive precursor chemicals, the production, import, sale, transport, use and storage should be controlled with the “Five Yes” (yes to obtaining an approval, labeling, recording every transaction online, doing monthly declaration, and adopting prevention and response measures) and “Two No” (no to online transactions and using without approval) control measures. When the total handling quantity reach the graded handling quantity, the handler shall comply with regulations regarding accident prevention and emergency response of the Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Control Act, which need to report the hazard prevention and response plan to the competent authority, purchase a liability insurance, conduct/participate in emergency responder training, form/join a joint defense organization, prepare emergency response/detection/warning equipment, and submit the transportation declaration form, to reach the purpose of chemical substance risk management.
EPA emphasized that, after being announced as concerned chemical substances, the aforesaid 15 substances will be immediately prohibited from being traded online or on other platforms that cannot identify the trading parties. Existing handlers shall obtain approval documents, make the labeling and complete other matters specified above before February 1, 2024, and regularly declare operations related records since that day. For new handlers, there is no buffer period for completing the aforesaid requirements.
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| 2023/1/4 |
| The Management Performance of Stockholm Convention’s Persistent Organic Pollutants” Conference was grandly launched |
| Department:Comprehensive Planning Division, Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau (TCSB)
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The Management Performance of Stockholm Convention’s Persistent Organic Pollutants” conference jointly organized by the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), Council of Agriculture (COA), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), Ministry of Finance (MOF), Ministry of Labor (MOL) and Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) was grandly launched at Socrates Hall of GIS NTU Convention Center on November 1. Scholars, experts, industry players and NGO were all invited to join this grand event. At this event, related ministries and departments have not only demonstrated our country’s persistent organic pollutants (POPs) management performance and exchanged ideas with the participants, but also shared with the public about our country’s up-to-date control status and results.
According to EPA, POPs could harm to human bodies and the environment due to their toxic, resistant to degradation, and long-distance transmission properties. Therefore, to protect human health and earth environment from the harm of POP, United Nation (UN) has promulgated the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (hereinafter referred to as the Stockholm Convention or the Convention) on May 17, 2004. Currently, the 31 POPs are under the control list of the Contention with the aspiration to eliminate, restrict and reduce the unintentional generation thereof.
EPA stated that although Taiwan is not a state party to the Convention, we still drew up our national implementation plan in accordance with UN’s implementation strategy in order to gear with international standards. Consequently, Executive Yuan has approved our country’s “The National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants” (hereinafter referred to as the NIP or the Plan) on July 3, 2008; and the Plan has been continuously modified, amended and promoted in accordance with the control list of the Convention.
EPA expressed that NIP had been launched for more than ten years. With the collaboration of 7 ministries and 22 agencies, Taiwan has restricted the use of POPs in accordance with “Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Control Act”, “Environmental Agents Control Act”, “Agro-pesticides Management Act” and other related environmental protection regulations respectively. Besides, the government also, through environmental, biological substrate, commercially available food and product inspections (monitoring), controls the flow of POPs in the environment and evaluates dietary exposure of people of the nation in order to fully understand their health status. The stipulation of standards for commercially available products and implementation of related inspections also facilitate the development of eco-friendly water repellent, which is applied in the textile industry to reduce the use of and consumers’ exposure to hazard substances in products. Furthermore, EPA has been continuously enhanced related education and promotional programs to enhance people’s awareness of environmental protection.
EPA emphasized that this presentation enabled ministries to demonstrate their POPs management performance and monitoring results. In the future, the government will continue to carefully evaluate substances newly added to the Convention’s POP control list and to integrate the power of all ministries and departments to minimize health threats and environmental risks derived from POPs.
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| 2023/1/4 |
| The labeling of chemical substances gears to international standards: Information is fully disclosed to ensure safe handling |
| Department:Evaluation Management Division, Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau (TCSB)
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To ensure safe handling of toxic and concerned chemical substances, Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has made amendments to “Regulations for the Labeling and Safety Data Sheets for Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances” to include the specifications for the label size of containers and packaging. Another focus is to harmonize with the labeling format of the Ministry of Labor’s regulations for the chemical labeling, to specify the disclosure methods for the hazardous ingredients in toxic and concerned chemicals, and to amend the labeling key points to be disclosed if chemicals are not classified as hazardous chemicals. The amendments are also to distinguish the labeling requirement of Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and toxic and concerned chemical substances management.
Based on international management regulations, EPA has revised the specifications for the label size of the containers and packaging. There are four grades according to the volume size of the containers and packaging, and minimum label size is gradually halved from A5. Manufacturers and importers of toxic and concerned chemical substances shall ensure that the label size of the containers and packaging is not smaller than the prescribed size; and shall provide hazard information that can be clearly read by users. Fold-out labels, tie-on tags or outer packaging may be adopted in some circumstances, such as limited volume size of containers and packaging.
EPA expressed that toxic and concerned chemical substances need to be classified in accordance with Chinese National Standard (CNS) 15030 and to be labeled on related hazard information. For toxic or concerned chemical substances above the control concentration standard, additional information of the hazard ingredient shall be labeled on the containers, packaging and placard, including their English name, Chemical Abstract Service Registry number, weight percentage concentration ; it also shall be labeled with the words “toxic chemical substance” or “concerned chemical substance” according to their respective announced type. On the other hand, toxic and concerned chemical substances that do not meet any hazard classification may, after this amendment, be labeled only with their name, hazard ingredients, warning, or other supplementary information; and name, address and telephone of the manufacturer, importer or supplier.
Besides, toxic and concerned chemical substances shall label warnings or other supplementary information in accordance with the regulations concerning individual substances. Based on the different characteristics and management purposes of toxic and concerned chemical substances, EPA will separately announce other texts or pictograms that shall be labeled. For example, nitrous oxide has been announced as a concerned chemical substance due to improper abuse and it should be labeled with “For industrial use only, no consumption” to warn the users.
A discussion meeting was summoned in regard to this amendment in August 2022. Besides, as this amendment to the containers and packaging labeling may require a revision on the current containers and packaging labeling content and size in the supply chain, such amendments will take effect on October 31, 2023. A year of grace period will be given to enterprises.
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| 2022/03/08 |
| Best wishes for the Spring Festival and welcome to the Fanpage of "Chemical Substances in Life (Chem Life)" |
Department:Comprehensive Planning Division,Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau (TCSB)
Here comes the Spring Festival (Lunar New Year)! Let’s have good eating and drink with family and friends to enjoy the atmosphere of reunion. Apart from saying the best wishes and auspicious phrases, we should also stay healthy during this festival season. So, how can we keep ourselves away from chemical hazards?
If we do not do the clean-up, what else should we do on Lunar New Year's Eve day? Without doing the clean-up job well, this year’s bad luck will sustain through next year and that will be awful! So, when using different detergents, we must not use them together and must pay attention the method of application. As any improper use can result in dangers, we have to read user instructions carefully before the use and abide by all rules. Keeping the space ventilated is also very important as it prevents hazards that can harm our body!
Besides, people of our nation tend to gather and reunite with family members, relatives and friends during the Spring Festival. Is there any food coloring on the dining table on New Year's Eve? Have you heard of the residual bleach (sulfur dioxide) in dehydrated vegetables or noticed other food safety news? Do the new clothes, new hats and New Year decorations that you have purchased for the Spring Festival contain formaldehyde (CH2O)? How can you check it? Chem Life, literally refers to “Chemical Substances in Life,” will tell you other chemical knowledge related to the worship materials, fireworks, and alcohol drinking!
To welcome the impending Spring Festival, the Fanpage of “Chemical Substances in Life (Chem Life)” has prepared various chemical related topical subjects, allowing fans to brightly talk about “chemicals” with family members during the holidays. The content thereof will surely let everyone of you to have an interesting conversation about chemicals in all occasions! On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year when people welcome the God of Wealth to homes, the Fanpage will also hold a little fun lucky draw activity to happily welcome the God of Wealth with you!
Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) expressed that “Chemical Substances in Life (Chem Life)” enabled all of us to know about chemicals substances in our life. As it introduces popularized professional scientific knowledge to the audience, EPA sincerely recommend it to everyone, so that we can know about chemical substances in life. This year, Chem Life has specially prepared Spring Festival couplets, chemicals related auspicious words and desktop calendars for everyone to download without charge.
Apart from Chem Life, Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau (TCSB) further established a “Line@EPA TCSB official account” (please search for @taiwantcsb) this year. The knowledgeable “Dr. Owl” and chemistry experts “Small Flasks” will tell you everything about chemical related to the Spring Festival. For example, tips that you must know when doing New Year’s shopping and the concept of safe intake dose, enabling you to prepare for the Lunar New Year without worries. At the end of the year, all staffs of “Chemical Substances in Life (Chem Life)” and “Line@EPA TCSB official account” wish you a happy new year and hope that we will provide you with even more accurate chemical knowledge to our fans. Let’s eat safely and celebrate the reunion moment peacefully.
At the end of the year, all staffs of “Chemical Substances in Life (Chem Life)” and “Line@EPA TCSB official account” wish you a happy new year and hope that we will provide you with even more accurate chemical knowledge to our fans. Let’s eat safely and celebrate the reunion moment peacefully.
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| 2022/02/21 |
| For Your Health, Say No to Nonylphenol Detergents |
Department:Evaluation Management Division,Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau (TCSB)
Do you know that the laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent and other detergents you use are safe for humans? Do you know that the endocrine disruptor that may be contained in detergents of unknown origin, if absorbed by the human body, may cause abnormal consequences affecting the reproductive system?
With the Lunar New Year approaching, every household will inevitably use laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent or detergents while sweeping and cleaning their home. But these detergents if they contain nonylphenol (NP), nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether (NPEO) or other substances with endocrine disruptor properties, may cause infertility or cause cancer and other risks. In addition to their long-term use may affect the physiological metabolism, reproduction and growth and development functions, these chemicals are not prone to decompose in the environment, and would also cause environmental pollution.
To protect the health of the public, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has banned the use of NP and NPEO in the manufacturing of domestic detergents since January 1, 2008 in accordance with the Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Control Act.
The EPA urges that when purchasing household cleaning product, it is important to pay attention to the ingredients label, and not to buy detergents from unknown sources or unclear or insufficient labeling of ingredients, as well as those detergents containing NP and NPEO, to protect the health of themselves and their families. The EPA wishes the public a strong and healthy new year.
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| 2022/01/03 |
| Inter-Ministerial Collaboration to Strengthen the Life-Cycle Management of Hazardous Substances (Goods) |
Department:Comprehensive Planning Division,Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau (TCSB)
The Environmental Protection Administration held the "2021 Results Conference on National Chemical Substances Management Policy Guidelines and Action Plan” today (November 30) at the conference room on the 3rd floor of the San Want Hotel. In response to the national concern about the operation and management mechanism of hazardous substances(goods) in Taiwan, the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance; Maritime and Port Bureau, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Civil Aeronautics Administration, and Directorate General of Highways of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications; Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Ministry of Labor; Industrial Development Bureau and Bureau of Mine of the Ministry of Economic Affairs; Ministry of Science and Technology; National Fire Agency of the Ministry of the Interior; and Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau of the Environmental Protection Administration were invited to share their management actions and achievements in 11 responsibility issues ranging from various stages of the chemical life cycle such as manufacturing, importing, use, storage, transportation, etc.
According to the Environmental Protection Administration, in accordance with the " National Chemical Substances Management Policy Guidelines" approved by the Executive Yuan in 2018, in order to regularly review the implementation results of the relevant ministries and departments under the framework of the policy guidelines, and at the same time strengthen the communication and exchange with all sectors, since 2018, the Environmental Protection Administration has held a results conference every year, setting different themes of chemical substance management for various agencies to share the promotion results and feedback, so as to build consensus and establish a basis for mutual collaboration, facilitating the implementation of the national chemical substance management policy guidelines and the goal and vision of the action plan.
The Environmental Protection Administration stated that the massive explosion of ammonium nitrate in the port of Beirut last August (2020), which killed more than 200 people, injured more than 6,500 and left more than 300,000 homeless, has aroused international concern. After the incident, Premier Su immediately ordered the relevant ministries and departments to take stock of the effectiveness of the existing laws and measures on the management of dangerous substances (goods) and to substantiate the implementation. In particular, it is necessary to think about risks and find the right antidote from the perspective of illegal, unconventional or unruly criminal acts that may be engaged in crimes in order to protect the lives and property of our people and national security. Therefore, the theme of today's conference was "Improving the Management Mechanism of Hazardous Substances (Goods)", hoping that by consolidating the management laws and enforcement measures of various authorities and examining the management breakpoints that can be mutually reinforced, to predict various possible risks so that we can appropriately respond to and prevent disasters before they occur.
In addition, according to the Environmental Protection Administration, regarding the information of chemical substance management results, the Administration has invited relevant ministries and departments to jointly compile the results report on our country’s overall management results of chemical substances in 2020, and placed the report under the "Publications of the Bureau" of "Education and Advocacy" on the "Global Information Website of the Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau of the Environmental Protection Administration." Everyone is welcome to browse through it. In the future, we will continue to compile the annual inter-ministerial implementation results report and place it on the aforementioned webpage for downloading. We welcome your continued interest.
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