China has released an update to its rules for chemical registration and evaluation. Although in effect since 2003, few companies comply with the rules, according to China Chemical Industry News. To comply, chemical manufacturers and users must register new chemical substances with the Ministry of Environmental Protection if they are not already included in an inventory of existing substances. The inventory currently contains only 40,000 substances, compared to the estimated 100,000 chemicals in use on a global basis. The new regulations emphasize the evaluation of the substances’ risks to the environment and human health, and provides three classifications for substances: general, hazardous and key hazardous. Bergson & Campbell note that the new rules require more information about chemicals used in higher volumes. Except for one ecological test and one health toxicological test, international firms already provide the required data to international agencies. However, smaller domestic firms will be challenged in complying.

Source: Chemistry World