Thailand is currently amending its Hazardous Substance Act. In this article, we will help you understand how chemicals are regulated in Thailand under the current Hazardous Substance Act and what the proposed changes are.
Hazardous Substance Act B.E. 2535
The current Hazardous Substance Act B.E. 2535 was issued in 1992. It is the most important chemical control law in Thailand with a purpose of protecting human health and our environment. The Act promulgates lists of hazardous substances for particular conditions of use in agriculture, public health, personal consumables and household products and classifies them into 4 types according to the needs for control.
By definition, a hazardous substance means any of the following substances:
- Explosives
- Flammable substances
- Oxidizing agents and peroxides
- Toxic substances
- Infectious substances
- Radioactive substances
- Mutant causing substances (mutagens)
- Corrosive substances
- Irritating substances
- Other substances either chemicals or otherwise which may cause injury to humans, animals, plants, properties, or the environment.
Due to the diverse characteristics and uses of hazardous substances, the Hazardous Substances Act is not enforced by one agency. Three ministries, namely the Ministry of Industry (MOT), the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and the Ministry of Public Health are directly involved in the control of hazardous substances. Other ministries such as the Minister of National Resources and Environment, the Minister of Energy, and the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Science and Technology are also involved.
Hazardous Substance List
There are over 1,500 substances on hazardous substance list. This list is issued and maintained by the Ministry of Industry (MOT). There are 4 types of hazardous substances. Each type of hazardous substance is subject to different regulatory controls such as registration or license.
The hazardous substance list has been amended several times since it was published in 1995. The latest consolidated list of hazardous substances is published in 2013 via List of Hazardous Substances B.E. 2556. The list includes English name and CAS No. of a hazardous substance, its type and responsible authority assigned.
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