CHEMSAFETYPRO NEWSLETTER May 2016: China RoHS 2 vs EU RoHS 2

As China is close to adopting its upgraded China RoHS regulation (China RoHS 2), we feel it necessary to look into this new regulation and compare it with EU RoHS 2.

• China RoHS 2 vs EU RoHS 2: Similarities and Differences

4 New Chemicals Listed under the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions and Their Impacts
28 May 2015
Let's take a look at those 4 newly added chemicals and analyze their potential impacts on your business. A complete list of candidate chemicals is also given.  Read more.. 

K-REACH's Leniency Program Is Now Official!
26 May 2015
According to Chemical Watch (subscription required), Korea is giving 6 months (May~Nov 2015) for companies who failed to notify new substances under TCCA in the past. 

Two New GHS Quizzes Launched (Pass Rate 60% and 10% Respectively).
13 May 2015
We have launched two new GHS quizzes (regular level and advanced level) to test your knowledge of GHS. You can take the anonymous quizzes here.

5 Free Underutilized Chemical Regulatory Tools You Should Know
11 May 2015
Here are 5 free tools that we think are among the most underused but very helpful tools for checking chemical regulatory lists and chemical safety data. Read more.

How to Find Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) for Chemical Substances?
6 May 2015
This article will help you understand different types of occupational exposure limits and teach you how to find them easily. Read more...

A Comparison of NFPA, HMIS and HCS Labelling System in the United States
4 May 2015
Are you confused with various chemical hazard rating and workplace labelling system in the United States: NFPA, HMIS, and HCS/GHS? You may find it helpful to read this comparison.

China is close to adopting new RoHS regulation (China RoHS2)

18 May 2015, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published its final draft version of the Administrative Measures for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products for public consultations. The consultation ends on 17 June 2015.

This new China RoHS regulation is known as China RoHS 2. As China is close to adopting its upgraded China RoHS regulation (China RoHS 2), we feel it necessary to look into this new regulation and compare it with EU RoHS 2.

http://www.chemsafetypro.com/Topics/Restriction/China_RoHS_2_vs_EU_RoHS_2.html

Free Guide on International Chemical Conventions

There are many international chemical conventions restricting or even banning the production, use and trade of certain hazardous chemicals for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment.

We have prepared a guide on major international chemical conventions with a focus on their aims, controlled substance list, control measures and their impacts.

Note: You do not need to read all chemical conventions because some of them are not relevant to your business. The table below shows you how to identify which chemical conventions you shall read.

Table of Content

• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs);
• Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade;
• Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal;
• Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer;
• Minamata Convention on Mercury;
• Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC);
• The United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances;
• ILO’s Chemicals Convention concerning Safety in the use of Chemicals at Work;
• Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM);

- See more at: http://www.chemsafetypro.com/Topics/Convention/international_chemical_conventions.html

Newsletter Vol 5 2015: 4 Changes and 5 Facts about the New Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals in China

Source: http://www.chemsafetypro.com/

You may have already heard a lot of interpretations of the new Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals in China recently. If you are still confused and would like to know more, you are encouraged to spend a few minutes reading our version. 

• 4 Changes and 5 Facts about the New Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals in China

How Are Existing Chemicals Regulated by Types and Lists in China?
13 April 2015
If you think that having all your substances listed on IECSC means compliance with Chinese chemical regulations, then you are wrong. Lots of existing chemicals such as hazardous chemicals, chemical weapons precursors and drug precursor chemicals are also subject to registrations, reporting and production, import and export control. Read more...

Tips on Searching Japan ENCS
8 April 2015
If you find it difficult to search the Japan existing chemical substance inventory ENCS, you may get some tips here. 

Original Report: A Comparison of Global GHS Label Size Requirements 2015
24 March 2015
Many countries have set minimum GHS label size requirements for chemical packages with different packaging capacities. Some countries have even set additional requirements on GHS pictogram size and even font size. Read more...

GHS Quiz Result Summary & Some Clarifications
24 March 2015
Over 300 people have taken our GHS quiz in the past month. Less than 5% of people have scored more than 80%. Less than 20% of people have scored more than 60%. 

If you failed in this quiz, please do not get disappointed. Some questions are designed to be confusing to make this quiz difficult. You are the GHS experts as long as you can find some arguments to support your choices.

ChemSafetyPro Newsletter Vol. 3 - March 2015

On 19 Feb 2015, the Ministry of Industry in Thailand published its new regulation B.E. 2558 on the notification of the production and import of hazardous substances in Government gazette. The regulation comes into force immediately.

The regulation requires manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals supplied in quantities over 1 ton per year to notify their hazardous chemicals to the Department of Industrial Works (DIW) for the purpose of building a national chemical inventory in Thailand. We have taken a deep look at this new regulation and translated B.E.2558 and notification form into English to give you a quick understanding of its regulatory requirements. 

• New Chemical Regulations in Thailand: Chemical Inventory Notification Starts.

More News & Updates from CHEMSAFETYPRO

A GHS Quiz That 80% of People Fail.
24 Feb 2015
We have designed a quiz to determine whether you are a GHS expert or not. This anonymous and free quiz usually takes less than 5 mins (10 questions in total). Take the quiz here. Please note that this quiz is not suitable for beginners. If you could pass this test (80% score), please join us because there is nothing about GHS we can share now.

A Great TDG Guide That You Cannot Miss. 
17 Feb 2015
Are you looking for a TDG guide full of pictures and examples? This is the guide you need that could save your time on learning the UN Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.

How to Calculate German Water Hazard Class (WGK)?
13 Feb 2015
Lots of people have asked us about how to calculate German Water Hazard Class (WGK) for chemicals supplied to Germany because the WGK is usually required in the section 15 of SDSs. We have prepared an easy step-to-step guide to address this issue. 

What Changes to Expect from GHS Rev. 6?
13 Feb 2015
GHS Purple Book is updated every two years. This year is the year for GHS Rev.6. The Committee of Experts on TDG and GHS of the UNECE has published a report on the agreed amendments to the 5th revised edition of GHS. Read more.

How to Comply with Swiss Chemical Regulations
13 Feb 2015
Since Switzerland is not a member of the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), EU REACH regulation does not apply here. Switzerland has its own chemical regulation Chemical Ordinance (ChemO) adopting REACH-like registration requirements (on new substances only). For those who supply chemicals (i.e, adhesives, solvents) and articles to Switzerland, it is also highly recommended that you read Swiss Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance (ORRChem) which sets chemical restriction conditions for lots of chemicals and articles.

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New Chemical Regulation in Thailand: Notification of Hazardous Substances

Thailand has just published a new  chemical regulation B.E. 2558 on the notification of the production and import of hazardous substances in Government gazette. The regulation comes into force on 19 Feb 2015.

Manufacturers and importers of hazardous substances exceeding 1 ton per year are now required to notify their hazardous substances to the Department of Industrial Works (DIW) via DIW's online system. The notification shall be submitted within 60 days from the date of manufacture or importation (only once). 

K-REACH and EU REACH Comparison

2015 is a key implementation year for K-REACH. This is just another new important REACH-like chemical regulation which is not strange to many of us who have dealt with EU REACH regulation before. Despite many similarities, K-REACH and EU REACH are different in many aspects. In this article, we have compared the top 10 differences between K-REACH and EU REACH to help you understand K-REACH's regulatory requirements better.

K-REACH and EU REACH Comparison

http://www.chemsafetypro.com/Topics/Korea/Difference_between_K-REACH_and_EU_REACH.html