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As we move into 2023, the chemical industry in the Asia Pacific region is facing new challenges with stricter regulations aimed at protecting human health and the environment. Governments in various countries have been implementing new laws and regulations with significant implications for manufacturers, importers, and exporters of chemicals. These are some regulations to look out for in 2023.

South Korea’s Chemical Control Act (CCA) revision

In effect as of January 3, 2023, South Korea’s CCA revision is expanding the scope of the CCA to cover a wide range of chemical substances, including those used in small quantities. Manufacturers and importers of chemical substances must submit more detailed information on the toxicity, environmental fate, and exposure pathways of substances to the Ministry of Environment (MOE). The MOE will have the power to restrict or ban the use of certain chemicals if deemed a risk to human health or the environment.

China’s new Environmental Protection Law

China’s new Environmental Protection Law, which came into effect in 2022, will have further implications for the chemical industry in 2023. Regulations and National Standards are published in 2022 based on the requirements of the Environmental Protection Law. Those regulations will manage the emission, pollutant treatment, registration of new substances and hazardous substances and also transport of dangerous goods etc in Mainland China. As expected in 2023, the enforcement of these regulations will be strengthened, and the penalties for violations will be more severe.

Japan’s Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL)

Japan’s CSCL is being revised to improve the management of chemical substances, which means as of April 2023, manufacturers and importers of chemical substances will be required to submit more detailed information on the toxicity, environmental fate, and exposure pathways of their substances to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The revision will also include new requirements for the registration of certain substances as well as the labelling and packaging of chemical substances.

Taiwan's TCCSCA

Known for its strict regulations regarding chemical safety, Taiwan EPA added 15 chemical substances as the Candidate List of Concerned Chemical Substances (CSS), which comes under the Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Control Act (TCCSCA). Their production, import, sale, use and storage are now subject to tightened regulations under Taiwan TCCSCA.

The chemical industry in the Asia Pacific region is facing new challenges. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and exporters of chemicals must stay abreast of all changes and take the necessary steps to ensure compliance. Our experts have extensive knowledge of the Asia Pacific market and experience helping businesses with their registration and notification process. We can help you stay on top of upcoming chemical regulatory changes by: 

• Providing Only Representative services

• Clarifying your regulatory obligations 

• Preparing supporting evidence to justify exemptions

• Supporting with analytical testing (including for polymers and polymers of low concern) and non-testing data (e.g. QSAR and read-across)

• Carrying out data-sharing discussions and commissioning endpoint testing (and acting as study monitor) where relevant 

• Helping submit notifications and registrations

For more insight into your REACH-related obligations, get in touch with our team today. You can also gain more insight into upcoming regulatory deadlines in the Asia-Pacific region by signing up for our ‘Important Action Needed in 2023: Chemical Regulations in Asia-Pacific’ webinar.