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ARGENTINA Argentina Introduces Pair Of Corporate Social Responsibility Bills: Legislators have introduced two bills in the Argentinian Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados), the lower house of the Argentine National Congress, that would serve to require socially responsible conduct by organizations. Among the “socially responsible conduct” the bills aim to foster would be aspects such as sustainable development, environmental...
AUSTRALIA NICNAS Requests Information About Products In The Trade Name Annex Of The AICS: On March 7, 2017, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) published a Chemical Gazette notice requesting information about products in the Trade Name Annex of the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS). For each industrial chemical making up a trade name product listed in the Trade Name...
ARGENTINA Argentina Seeking To Modernize Environmental Regulatory System: The Argentinian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable, the Ministerio) has begun the process of reviewing and revamping various aspects of its environmental regulatory system. Continuing a regional trend, which shows increased stakeholder involvement in environmental and related...
Acta® Will Present Deeper Dive On Chemical Substance Regulation In Central And South America: The Acta Group (Acta) is pleased to offer our clients, associated businesses, and corporate product stewards and regulatory personnel a follow-up to our November 2016 webinar “Current Opportunities and Challenges with Chemical Substance Regulation in Mexico and Central and South America.” This second webinar, “Chemical Substance Regulation in Central and South...
The Acta Group extends its best wishes to our clients and many friends and we wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year. As we have for many years, the firm has made a contribution to the House of Ruth, a shelter for battered women and their children, in lieu of gifts to our clients, and on our clients’ behalf. ARGENTINA Argentina Establishes “Take Back” Regulation For Pesticide Containers: On...
ARGENTINA Argentina Incorporates "MERCOSUR Technical Regulations For Products Disinfectants (Pesticides)” Into National Law: On August 31, 2016, Argentina incorporated the Annex to ANMAT No. 7292/981, the MERCOSUR GMC Resolution No. 18/10 (the Regulation), into their national legal system. Similar to the European Union (EU), where Directives must be incorporated into a country’s national law by implementing legislation,...
SWA Announces New Chemical Database: On July 5, 2016, Safe Work Australia (SWA) announced the Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS), a new database that provides information on chemicals that have been classified in accordance with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The database features classification and labeling information for over 4,500 chemicals, including pictograms, and a searchable database of...
AUSTRALIA NICNAS Releases New Tool For Categorizing Polymers: The June 7, 2016, issue of the NICNAS Bulletin includes an item announcing a new tool for polymers. The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) invites stakeholders to try the new polymer categorization tool, which NICNAS developed to help users understand how the health and environment hazards of polymers would be...
CHINA MIIT Publishes FAQs On China RoHS2: On May 16, 2016, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced the availability of FAQs on the Administrative Measures for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (China RoHS2). According to the FAQs, products that are excluded from the scope of China RoHS2 include power generation, transmission, and distribution...
CANADA Canada Publishes Notice With Respect To Substances In The NPRI For 2016 And 2017: On February 27, 2016, Environment and Climate Change Canada published a Canada Gazette notice with respect to substances in the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) for 2016 and 2017. Under the authority of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), owners or operators of...
AUSTRALIA Australia Issues Second Consultation Paper On Reforms To National Regulatory Framework: On February 18, 2016, the Australian government published Consultation Paper 2 outlining proposals for reform of the country's chemical regulatory framework. The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) is consulting on the paper until March 30, 2016. The paper proposes allowing use of...
CANADA Stakeholder Roundtables Discuss Supply Chain Communication And SNUR And SNAc Programs: Under the Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) work plan for chemicals management, Environment Canada, Health Canada, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are collaborating to develop common approaches for regulatory reporting requirements for new uses of chemical substances. The initiative involves work to support supply chain communication...
The Acta Group (Acta®) extends its best wishes to our clients and many friends and we wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year. As we have for many years, the firm has made a contribution to the House of Ruth, a shelter for battered women and their children, in lieu of gifts to our clients, and on our clients' behalf. AUSTRALIA Comment Period On First Consultation Paper On Reforms To NICNAS Ends Soon: As reported in Acta's...
AUSTRALIA NICNAS Will Publish Reforms Implementation Plan Consultation Paper And Consultation Workshops: The October 6, 2015, issue of The NICNAS Bulletin includes an item on the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) reforms implementation plan. According to the item, the implementation plan outlines opportunities for community and industry consultation; timing of legislation and information technology...
CHINA Guidance On The Catalog Of Hazardous Chemicals Includes Mandatory GHS Classifications: On August 19, 2015, the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) released guidance on the Catalog of Hazardous Chemicals. The guidance includes mandatory Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) classifications for all 2,828 listed chemicals. It also provides instructions on how to determine if a mixture is...
CHINA China Publishes Revised New Chemical Notification And Registration Guidance For Public Comment: After over a year of review and revision, on June 25, 2015, the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection Solid Waste and Chemical Management Center (MEP-SCC) published the "Guidance for New Chemical Substance Notification and Registration (Draft)" (Guidance) for public comment. The deadline to submit comments to MEP-SCC regarding the Guidance...
AUSTRALIA APVMA Seeks Stakeholder Input Into The User Of International Data, Assessments, Standards, And Decisions: The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) began a public consultation on April 15, 2015, on the formation of its policy on the use of international data, assessments, standards, and decisions. APVMA developed criteria intended to indicate clearly how international data, standards, and assessments...
AUSTRALIA Australia Publishes Thirteenth Tranche Of IMAP Assessments: The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) published for public comment the thirteenth tranche of human health and environmental assessments for chemicals identified as part of the Stage One implementation of the Inventory Multi-tiered Assessment and Prioritization (IMAP) Framework. NICNAS states that it seeks comments on information...
AUSTRALIA Australia Publishes Twelfth Tranche Of IMAP Assessments: The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) published for public comment the twelfth tranche of human health and environmental assessments for chemicals identified as part of the Stage One implementation of the Inventory Multi-tiered Assessment and Prioritization (IMAP) Framework. NICNAS states that it seeks comments on information that...
AUSTRALIA NICNAS Publishes New Guidelines On Applying For Confidential AICS Listing And Exempt Information: NICNAS announced in the January 2015 NICNAS Bulletin the availability of new guidelines on applying for confidential Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS) listing and exempt information. NICNAS states that, following consultation with a number of stakeholders, it has now published Guidelines - Applying...
The Acta Group (Acta®) extends its best wishes to our clients and many friends and we wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year. As we have for many years, Acta has made a contribution to the House of Ruth, a shelter for battered women and their children, in lieu of gifts to our clients, and on our clients' behalf. Acta Holds Webinar To Assist Companies In Preparing For K-REACH: On December 4, 2014, Acta held a webinar entitled...
AUSTRALIA Government Will Examine Opportunities For Greater Acceptance Of International Standards And Risk Assessments: In an October 14, 2014, joint media release, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister announced that, as part of the Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda, the government will examine opportunities for greater acceptance of international standards and risk assessments. The joint media...
AUSTRALIA Australia Publishes Tenth Tranche Of IMAP Assessments: The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) published for public comment the tenth tranche of human health and environmental assessments for chemicals identified as part of the Stage One implementation of the Inventory Multi-tiered Assessment and Prioritization (IMAP) Framework. NICNAS states that it seeks comments where information that has the...
AUSTRALIA Australia Publishes Ninth Tranche Of IMAP Assessments: The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) published for public comment the ninth tranche of human health and environmental assessments for chemicals identified as part of the Stage One implementation of the Inventory Multi-tiered Assessment and Prioritization (IMAP) Framework. NICNAS states that it seeks comments where information that has the...
AUSTRALIA NICNAS Will Hold Training And Outreach Sessions: The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) will be conducting stakeholder training and awareness sessions in major capital cities and selected regional areas in coming months, and it seeks expressions of interest from those wishing to attend. According to NICNAS, the topics to be discussed include: Who is NICNAS?; What does NICNAS do?; ...
AUSTRALIA Australia Publishes Eighth Tranche Of IMAP Assessments: The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) published for public comment the eighth tranche of human health and environmental assessments for chemicals identified as part of the Stage One implementation of the Inventory Multi-Tiered Assessment and Prioritization (IMAP) Framework. NICNAS states that it seeks comments where information that has the...
CANADA Canada Begins Consultation On Potential Amendments To The E2 Regulations: On March 10, 2014, Canada began a public consultation on potential amendments to the Environmental Emergency (E2) regulations. Canada states that the amendments are intended "to better protect Canadians and their environment from environmental emergencies, and to provide the regulated community with clarity on existing regulatory requirements." Canada lists the...
AUSTRALIA NICNAS Seeks Feedback On Proposed Draft Guidelines On The Confidential Section Of The AICS: The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) is seeking comment on draft guidelines relating to listing chemicals on the confidential section of the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS). NICNAS seeks stakeholder views on the clarity and practicality of the draft guidelines, and the proposed approach to...
AUSTRALIA Australia Seeks Comment On Sixth Tranche Of IMAP Assessments: The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) has published for public comment the sixth tranche of human health and environmental assessments for chemicals identified as part of the Stage One implementation of the Inventory Multi-Tiered Assessment and Prioritization (IMAP) Framework. NICNAS requests comments where information that has the...
AUSTRALIA Australia Seeks Comment On Fifth Tranche Of IMAP Assessments: The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) has published for public comment the fifth tranche of human health and environmental assessments for chemicals identified as part of the Stage One implementation of the Inventory Multi-Tiered Assessment and Prioritization (IMAP) Framework. NICNAS requests comments where information that has the...
CHINA China Consults On Draft GHS Standards: China held a public consultation on the Phrase and Codification of Chemical Hazard Statements, which are draft Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) standards for pictograms, hazard and precautionary statements, and codes for chemicals. The draft standards are based on the fourth edition of the GHS. The final standards will supplement standards GB/T 16483-2008 on...
AUSTRALIA NICNAS Changes Registration Structure For Industrial Chemicals: The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) announced that beginning September 1, 2013, it will have four levels of registration, with a new level for commercial introducers (manufacturers or importers) of relevant industrial chemicals with an annual value of less than $100,000. The change means current registrants at...
AUSTRALIA Australia Seeks Comment On Third Batch Of Stage One IMAP Assessments: On May 16, 2013, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) published for public comment the third batch of human health and environmental assessments for chemicals identified as part of the Stage One implementation of the Inventory Multi-Tiered Assessment and Prioritization (IMAP) Framework. NICNAS requests comments where information...
AUSTRALIA NICNAS Releases Second Batch Of IMAP Assessments: The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) began a public comment period on the assessment outcomes of the second batch Inventory Multi-tiered Assessment and Prioritization (IMAP) assessments. NICNAS released the following information: Tier I -- Human Health Assessments: These chemicals are not considered to pose an unreasonable risk to the health of...
CHINA China Publishes Catalogue Of Substitutes For Hazardous Substances: On January 14, 2013, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published a catalogue of information on possible alternatives to 81 hazardous substances, including heavy metals, organic pollutants, and pesticides. The catalogue includes three sections, based on stage of substitution: development of alternatives; application; and promotion. More information is...
OECD Updates Environmental Risk Assessment Toolkit: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced on December 12, 2012, that it updated its environmental risk assessment toolkit. According to OECD, the toolkit provides practical tools for the environmental risk assessment of chemicals. The toolkit describes the general process of environmental risk assessment and provides examples of risk assessment. The toolkit also provides links to...
OECD Announces Improved Tool To Predict Hazards Of Chemicals: On November 5, 2011, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced the availability of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR) Toolbox (03), which includes new features and additional data sources; facilitates prediction accounting for metabolism; provides possibilities for predicting the hazard for mixtures; and possesses a more advanced search and reporting...
CHILE Chile Invites Pesticide Registration Applicants To Apply Online: The Department of Environmental Health invited pesticide registration applicants to begin the registration process by applying for authorization online. The Department made public its electronic records for disinfectant products since September 2010, so that registration applicants could see what data the Department already has. More information is available, in...
AUSTRALIA Australia Amends ICNA Regulations: The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme's (NICNAS) July 2012 Chemical Gazette includes a notice regarding amendments to the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) (ICNA) Act and regulations arising from changes to the Work Health and Safety Legislation. The Governor-General approved the amendments to the ICNA r egulations on May 24, 2012, and...
AUSTRALIA Australia Announces 3,000 Chemicals To Be Assessed In IMAP Framework: On June 15, 2012, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) announced the 3,000 existing chemicals that it will assess through its new Inventory Multi-tiered Assessment and Prioritization (IMAP) framework. NICNAS has designated the chemicals in the first group to be assessed as "Stage One chemicals." NICNAS identified the Stage One...
OECD Publishes Proposal For Harmonized List Of PRTR Pollutants: On April 12, 2012, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced the availability of the Global Pollutant Release and Transfer Register, Proposal for a Harmonized List of Pollutants, which outlines the results of the work of the OECD Task Force on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR). In 2009, the Task Force noted that while there are 1,200...
OECD Announces Availability Of Modified Environmental Risk Assessment Toolkit: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Environmental Risk Assessment Toolkit describes the work flow for environmental risk assessment and management of chemicals with links to available OECD material relevant for the different steps in risk assessment and management. OECD announced on March 19, 2012, that it has revised the Toolkit to include resources other...
AUSTRALIA GHS Regulations Enter Into Force -- On January 1, 2012, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations in 2012 entered into force. The WHS Regulations, which create a new system of chemical classification and hazard communication on labels and safety data sheets (SDS) based on the third revised edition of the United Nations (UN) Globally Harmonized System of Chemical Classification and Labeling (GHS), will be mandatory...
OECD Publishes Schedule Of Chemicals Assessments: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced on December 12, 2011, the availability of a webpage created on eChemPortal that provides links to existing scheduling information of national/regional and international assessments notified to the OECD by OECD member countries and stakeholders. OECD states that the links are provided "with the aim to assist in avoiding duplication across...
CHINA MEP Publishes Draft Guidelines For Risk Assessment And Hazard Identification Under China REACH: The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) recently published draft guidelines concerning the risk assessment of chemicals and hazard identification of new chemical substances. The draft guidelines are intended to provide guidance on the hazard identification methods and categorization of environmental management under China Registration,...
ARGENTINA Argentina Issues Regulation Concerning Registration Of Fertilizers: On June 7, 2011, Argentina's Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria/National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA) issued Regulation 359, the "Regulation on the Registration of Fertilizers, Substrates, Conditioners, Protectors and their Raw Materials." The Regulation was published in the Boletin Oficial de la Republica...
BRAZIL Brazil Revised Standard Requires Chemicals Be Classified And Labeled: The May 24, 2011, revised edition of Brazil's Health and Safety Labor Standard includes provisions requiring that chemicals in the workplace be classified and labeled. The Standard also requires that safety data sheets (SDS) be prepared in accordance with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) provisions in Brazil's Technical...
CANADA Canada Announces Updated Draft Screening Assessment Of Substances Of Low Concern: On June 18, 2011, Canada published the updated draft screening assessment of substances of low concern using the rapid screening approach in the Canada Gazette. After evaluating 1,047 substances of low concern using the rapid screening approach, Canada proposes that, based on available information, 545 of the substances do not meet the criteria...
ARGENTINA Argentina's Senate Passes WEEE/RoHS Law: Argentina's Senate passed on May 4, 2011, the draft Law on Minimum Standards for Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (934/2010), which includes restrictions similar to those in the European Union (EU) Restrictions of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive. The bill's scope closely follows the ten broad product categories listed in Annex 1A of the Waste Electrical and Electronic...
CHINA China Issues Fines For Non-Compliance With Requirements For Notification Of New Substances: China's Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) announced on February 9, 2011, that it fined six companies belonging to a U.S.-based corporation Yuan 30,000 (€3,300) for allegedly failing to provide ecotoxicological test reports by an MEP-approved laboratory. Beginning in October 2010, companies wishing to manufacture or import a new substance in...