The Toxic Chemical Substance Control Act (TCSCA) has been under assessment by the Taiwan Legislative Yuan. On 21 March 2013, consensus has been reached on one of the amendments to the TCSCA that the initial registration requirements will be imposed on Class 4 toxic chemical substances. However, further consideration is still needed for the other amendments including the registration scheme for the designated substances of priority concern and the new chemical substances notification.
Class 4 toxic chemical substances are those with potential of environmental pollution or the endangerment of human health. So far, the Taiwan EPA has regulated 92 Class 4 toxic chemicals. The handlers should, pursuant to the amended TCSCA, apply for approval documents for Class 4 toxic chemical substances with the local environmental protection administration of municipality, county or city level prior to commencing operation. In addition, the handler should mark information relevant to toxicity and pollution control on containers, packaging, handling sites and facilities, and prepare SDS for reference, which are the same requirements as the Class 1 to 3 toxic chemical substances.
The draft TCSCA has been notified to the WTO by the separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on 21 Dec 2012. It seems that the TCSCA will miss its proposed date of adoption as 31 March 2013. It is not yet known when the review will be completed by the Legislative Yuan. Even though the rigorous requirements for Class 4 toxic chemical substances will take effect one year later as of the date of promulgation, all the handlers concerned should be well-prepared in advance.
