In recent years, the Chinese government has gradually strengthened the supervision of hazardous chemicals. This year witnessed the implementation of the "one enterprise, one product, one code" management system of hazardous chemicals throughout the country. The registration system of hazardous chemicals put into use on February 16, 2022. Facing the transformation of the old and new systems, many enterprises encountered some registration difficulties. CIRS will organize a free webinar to introduce the "one enterprise, one product, one code" system.

Chemspec Europe 2022, the International Exhibition for Fine & Speciality Chemicals will return on the 31st May & 1st June at Messe Frankfurt, Germany. In its 35th edition, Chemspec Europe will include over 200 exhibitors across 38 countries from all sectors of the chemical industry.

In January 2022, the RCEP Agreement entered into force, covering 10 ASEAN countries, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. After RCEP comes into effect, more than 90% of the trade of goods in the region will eventually achieve zero tariffs, which involves the chemical industry with more than 1,000 tariff numbers of RCEP origin rules, benefiting the import and export trade of chemicals. Within the RCEP coverage, most countries, including China, have adopted GHS classification and labelling systems, which requires the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and labels of chemicals to comply with the GHS-related regulations and standards of each country and region.

The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) adopted their legislative report on the regulation establishing a Carbon Broader Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) with 49 votes for, 33 against and 5 abstentions on May 17. According to the press released by the European Parliament, the CBAM legislative report, which is drafted by the ENVI and represents the stance of the European Parliament, has a broader scope and faster implementation compared with the Draft CBAM released by European Commission in July 2021.

On May 11, 2022, Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration issued a Statement to further clarify the declaration requirements for the Components of hazardous mixtures transshipped through Waigaoqiao Area. Compared with the Statement released on February 8, 2022, the new Statement stipulates that it is not mandatory for enterprises to provide 100% component information when making declarations. Meanwhile, if the goods subject to transport do not contain prohibited components, related enterprises only need to provide a written document to guarantee that their goods are not banned to transport via inland waterways instead of revising the MSDS.

11 – 12 May 2022, CIRS attended the ChemUK 2022 at the NEC, Birmingham, UK. The event has attracted more than 350 exhibitors and 180 expert speakers. CIRS set a booth at G33. Attendees actively visited CIRS’s booth and communicated with us on how to comply with the chemical regulations in China, etc.

In April 2022, the European Commission has released the proposal on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gas) was released by the EU, which would amend Directive (EU) 2019/1937 and repeal Regulation (EU) No 517/2014. This Regulation aims to further tighten the control on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gas). If the revised Regulation gets approved, it will significantly influence enterprises that export fluorinated gases to the EU as well as enterprises that involve in pre-charged equipment such as refrigeration, air conditioners, and heat pump equipment charged with hydrofluorocarbons.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is receiving comments on draft standard “ready mixed paint, air drying, red oxide-zinc chrome painting-specification” until 11 May 2022. This Draft has extended the limit of lead restriction in household coatings to industrial applications. To prevent lead exposure of children and adults and consequent adverse impact on human health and safety and because of further scope for children’s exposure to the dried paint surfaces, the lead restriction up to a maximum permissible limit of 90 ppm was prescribed.

Canada had proposed adding benzophenone and triarylmethanes group to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). The substances are subject to risk management measures. It was concluded that benzophenone may pose a risk to human health, based upon a comparison of the levels to which Canadians may be exposed to benzophenone when using nail polish, exterior and interior paints as well as stains and the critical endpoints that will affect human health. As a result of the screening assessment, the Government concluded that Malachite Green is harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment. Also, Basic Violet 3, Malachite Green, Basic Violet 4, and Basic Blue 7 are concluded to be harmful to the environment.

From 28-29 Apr. 2022, CIRS attended the Product Substance Management & Regulatory Compliance Summit. The summit attracted more than 40 attendees, including ChemSafe, Compliance & Risk, Regartis, EcoMole, Yordas, 1CC Compliance, Novalsop Sustainablity & Compliance, etc. During the Summit, Mr. Li Xiang gave a speech on K-REACH Update and Korea GHS Feature, to help enterprises better understand the chemical regulations in South Korea. Attendees actively participated in the discussions during the meeting.