Recently, China Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) released a Technical specifications for collection, storage, transportation of hazardous waste (HJ 2025/2012) in order to effectively prevent these unwanted wastes from polluting the environment. Any companies that discharge hazardous wastes or engaged in the related business activities are subject to it.
According to the Standard, generally, operators are required to provide professional training to workers regularly about requirements for identification, transfer, packing and transportation of hazardous wastes. Besides, they need to compile an emergency response plan and organize drills.
To be specific, during the collection and transfer, units involved should formulate a collection plan by taking into account the period of discharge, properties of wastes as well as detailed operating procedures. Measures for safety protection and pollution prevention, such as explosion-proof and fire-proof must be taken. The packing of wastes is determined in view of their category, number, properties, physical state and so on. In case that they are transported internally, the unit has to fill out a record chart.
Hazardous wastes with different characteristics need to be stored separately. The wastes of highly toxic chemicals shall be stored under 24-hour guide to prevent them from being stolen.
In addition, companies that have hazardous wastes transported by road, water and rail should entrust licensed transportation enterprises under the guidance of three corresponding dangerous goods regulations in China.
Proper disposal of hazardous wastes is the focus of preventing and controlling the pollution from solid wastes. Otherwise, a very negative effect on the entire natural environment will be made, including soil, water and air, which will endanger human health, said by an official from Xinjiang Department of Environmental protection. Most chemical companies are reluctant to abandon traditional ways like burning or burying to deal with wastes, let alone spend extra money to send them to the specific disposal center. However, with more and more emphasize put on the quality of economic growth by the center government of China, standardizing the classification, collection, storage, transportation of hazardous wastes are of critical importance for pollution control and sustainable development.
The Technical Specifications will enter into force since Mar 1 2013.
