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Can upgrading raw material design and application standards help us eliminate various wastes generated by the current economic model? Policymakers in China and Europe think it is possible. As we all know, circular economy thinking has also attracted the attention of large multinational companies such as Coca-Cola, and has had a profound impact on their product commercial design. The global cost of landfill incineration, waste cleanup and pollutant management reaches billions of dollars every year, and a circular economy model can help us save this cost. In order to build a sustainable economy with higher resource utilization efficiency, the Chinese government and the EU seem to have naturally found an entry point for cooperation. Since the industrial revolution, the industrial development model has adopted an extractive development model, that is, a three-step model in which resources are mined underground, made into products, and discarded after use. Although this development model meets development needs and lifts billions of people out of poverty, it also creates a lot of waste and pollution. The negative impact of this model has already begun to appear in terms of exacerbating resource scarcity. Industry and government have realized that a different system must be built to deliver more resilient long-term prosperity and free economic growth from negative impacts. And this is our current job - to promote the circular economy model. Plastic is an iconic material in the modern economy. It is not only available everywhere, but also has a wide range of uses. However, the scale of the material is also growing at an alarming rate. Plastics can be said to have a typical linear life cycle, with products made from limited resources and finally discarded after use. plastic

2017-11-16

Japan's METI warns companies to comply with chemical inspection law

Japan's METI warns companies that they must comply with the Chemical Substances Control Law. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) recently issued an announcement requiring companies to comply with the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL), referred to as Chemical Substances Control Law. Law. The announcement also mentions the most common corporate violations, with examples as follows: – Mistaking new chemical substances for general chemical substances. The former must conduct a preliminary assessment before production/import; while the latter only needs to report the production or import volume to the government. – Manufacture or import of small quantities of chemical substances exceeding the permitted weight. For small-volume chemical substances and intermediates, companies must specifically declare the expected production/import volume and obtain permission before proceeding (in order to not exceed the principle that the annual production/import volume of small-volume chemical substances does not exceed one ton, coordination between ministries and councils must be Permission\declaration limit). – Unable to submit chemical substance hazard test reports required by government departments. METI pointed out that most of the violations by companies are caused by the lack of understanding of the chemical supervision law or the poor implementation of the company's internal chemical substance management system. In order to prevent similar violations from continuing to occur, METI recommends that companies implement the following matters: – Conduct internal education and training on the Chemical Submissions Act for management and personnel exposed to hazardous substances on the production line; &#

2017-10-12

Washington State Children's Product Safety Law Proposal Adds 18 Substances of High Concern

The Washington State Children's Product Safety Act proposes to add 18 new substances of high concern. The Washington State Children's Product Safety Act (CSPA) announces 18 new "Chemicals of High Concern to Children (CHCC)" that are expected to be added in the future. A public consultation has been launched, and this will be the last consultation before the formal proposal in 2017. The last revision of the CHCC list was in 2013, and Washington State hopes to speed up the revision process. The draft proposes to add the following substances to the CHCC list: – Phthalates DIBP and DCHP; – Flame retardants DBDPE, TCP, TPP, TCPP, TBPH, TBB, TBPP, TDBPP, TNBP and EHDPP, IPTPP, SCCP and V6 ; – bisphenols BPF and BPS (current CHCC listed alternatives to phenolmethane); and – perfluorinated compound PFOA and its related substances. The latest proposal calls for phthalic anhydride; octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4); and molybdenum to be excluded from listing as CHCCs. The Washington State Children's Product Safety Law stipulates that children's product operators (manufacturers, importers or domestic wholesale distributors of children's products) who meet the following conditions must report the following information to the competent authority every year: 1. Children's products intend to add CHCC and the product ingredients The concentration in

2017-10-12

Guidelines for the management of chemical substances under the EU non-toxic policy

According to the EU’s latest 7th Environmental Report, the EU’s chemical substance management guidelines under the non-toxic policy point out that the complex and changing risks posed by the millions of finished products that consumers are exposed to every day in the EU have not been effectively regulated by regulations. standardized management. These limited regulations are scattered across different industries, lack systematic management, and have not been comprehensively evaluated, resulting in the risk of exposure to hazardous substances in finished products. Therefore, the report recommends that the European Commission should take effective measures to prevent harmful substances from entering the finished product process starting from source management. Strengthening information transparency in the supply chain is a key consideration for the EU to achieve its goal of a non-toxic environment. The report also mentioned that the scope of authorization of "Authorization" in the current REACH regulations is limited to the EU. On the other hand, products manufactured outside the EU do not need to go through the authorization application process. Products that have been included in the authorization list by ECHA can be included in the product. Chemical substances on the list are then imported into the EU market. In addition, even if some hazardous substances have been banned or restricted at this stage, they will still exist in waste streams or recycled materials, especially finished products with relatively long product life cycles. Such as buildings or infrastructure, etc. In view of this, the report emphasizes that if the EU wants to achieve the goal of a non-toxic environment, it must proceed in the following three directions: 1. Strengthen the transparency of information on hazardous substances in finished products; 2. Avoid

2017-10-12

The U.S. CPSC recommends adding new exclusion items for testing plasticizers in children’s products

The U.S. CPSC recommends adding an exclusive item for plasticizer testing in children's products. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently proposed a proposal to make it mandatory for children's products to provide plasticizer testing reports from a third-party impartial unit before they are put on the market. Added new exclusive items. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) stipulates that the concentration of the following six plasticizers in children's products shall not exceed 0.1%: – DEHP di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate; – DBP dibutyl phthalate; – BBP tolyl butyl phthalate; – DINP diisononyl phthalate; – DIDP didecyl phthalate; and – DnOP di-n-octyl phthalate ester. Before the product is put on the market, manufacturers must provide a conformity test report issued by a third-party impartial unit after testing the above six plasticizers. However, research commissioned by the CPSC found that not all types of plastics use the above six plasticizers in the manufacturing process, raw materials or additives, or when the above six plasticizers are added, the usage amount is much less than the limit. 0.1%. These plastic types are as follows: &#82

2017-10-12

Certain plastics contained in toys are exempt from third-party testing requirements for phthalates

Certain plastics contained in toys are exempt from third-party testing requirements for phthalates. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently determined that four types of plastics containing specific additives do not contain certain phthalates currently banned in children's toys and child care products. acid ester. According to this recognition, starting from September 29, these plastics containing specific additives do not need to be tested by a third party to prove compliance with the mandatory ban on phthalates in children's toys and child care products. Section 108 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 stipulates that accessible plastic parts of children's toys and child care products, or other parts made of materials that may contain phthalates, shall not contain a concentration of 0.1% or above. 6 specific phthalates, namely DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP and DnOP. Subsequently, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommended changing the temporary ban on DINP to a permanent ban, lifting the temporary ban on DIDP and DnOP, and adding four other phthalates, namely DIBP, DPENP, DHEXP and DCHP, to the banned list. However, none of these actions have been implemented. Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Act, as amended by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, manufacturers of products subject to consumer product safety rules or similar rules, bans, standards or regulations administered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission must The product must be proven to comply with all applicable regulations enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. For children's products, certification should be by a third party recognized by the Consumer Product Safety Commission

2017-10-12

U.S. EPA announces formaldehyde emission regulations

U.S. EPA announces formaldehyde emission specifications The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set a final implementation date for formaldehyde emission specifications for composite wood products. This regulation applies to the sale, supply, manufacture and import of hardwood plywood, medium density fiberboard, particleboard and end products containing these materials into the United States. After this specification was officially implemented on February 10, 2017, composite wood products must not only meet the safety requirements related to their products, but also must comply with formaldehyde emission standards. The specification also lists requirements and specification schedules for laminated products and importers. Although the draft of this specification was announced in the summer of this year (2016), the final implementation date of the specification was not published in the Federal Register until this week. In addition to formaldehyde emission standards, the specification also adds the following relevant provisions: – Testing requirements; – Product labeling; – Chain of custody documentation and other record-keeping requirements; – Import certification; – Product inventory sales terms, including product inventory bans and hardwood plywood , third-party certification of medium-density fiberboard and particleboard. The U.S. EPA will hold several online seminars to assist in the implementation of this specification. For formaldehyde emission limits from the above products, please refer to the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/12

2017-10-12

The number of sustainability reports in Taiwan has surged since 2014

The number of sustainability reports in Taiwan has surged since 2014. According to research by Taiwan BCSD, the Taiwan Stock Exchange, and the Securities Over-the-Counter Trading Center, the number of sustainability reports published by Taiwanese companies increased by 64% from 2014 to 2015. This study also compared the similarities and differences between Taiwanese and international stakeholders regarding corporate sustainability information disclosure requirements, and analyzed the corporate social responsibility reports published by more than 400 companies in Taiwan. Reports exceeding 90% are published by listed companies. This shows that international trends and regulations are also a powerful force. In 2014, the Taiwan Stock Exchange required listed companies in specific industries, including food manufacturing, chemicals, financial services, and companies with capital exceeding one Companies worth NT$10 billion must publish corporate social responsibility reports in accordance with GRI G4 guidelines. Research shows that multinational companies account for 75%, while 23% is issued by large companies, and a total of 9 NPOs and small and medium-sized enterprises publish voluntarily. The 83% report is prepared in accordance with the G4 guidelines, while the 44% report is externally certified. In addition to studying and comparing the number of publications, citation guidelines and external certifications of domestic and foreign corporate social responsibility reports, we also examine the quality of the substantive content in the reports and the transparency of information disclosure. The study also focuses on the content of corporate social responsibility reports published by specific industries in China, and puts forward more substantial suggestions for companies to improve GRI G4, such as how companies should identify the materiality and scope of issues and how to cover GRI G4 content guidelines in reports. Or even how to plan for future improvements

2017-10-12

US NGO launches MADE SAFE product safety certification mechanism

U.S. NGO launches MADE SAFE product safety certification mechanism U.S. NGO launches MADE SAFE Seal, the nation's first non-toxic product certification mark for human health. Currently, non-toxic certification standards have been launched for household cleaning products, personal cleaning products and baby products. . The purpose of this product non-toxic certification mechanism is to promote products that do not contain any chemicals harmful to the human body or the environment. Through this label, it helps consumers identify which products are safe. MADE SAFE targets thousands of currently known chemicals for behavioral toxicity, carcinogenicity, developmental toxicity, endocrine disrupting properties, flame retardants, genetic modification, heavy metals, neurotoxicity, high-risk pesticides, reproductive toxicity, harmful solvents, and For hazardous volatile organic compounds and other aspects, a hazardous substances database will be established. When a manufacturer applies for product certification, the applicant must sign the MADE SAFE certification process agreement and agree to provide a list of raw materials, additives, and auxiliaries that will be used in the manufacturing stage of the product. At the same time, the applicant must provide the material safety of these raw materials and chemical substances. Data sheet (MSDS). The MADE SAFE review team will provide information to the company, compare it with its database of hazardous chemical substances, and assess the possible contamination risks of products in the supply chain. Finally, the bioaccumulation, environmental hazard persistence, general toxicity, water toxicity and ecotoxicity of key chemical substances are evaluated. Only products that pass these rigorous review processes can obtain MADE S

2017-10-12

The State Council of China issued a document to deploy comprehensive safety management of hazardous chemicals and proposed ten major tasks.

The General Office of the State Council of China issued a document to deploy the comprehensive safety management of hazardous chemicals and proposed ten major tasks. The General Office of the State Council of China recently issued the "Plan for Comprehensive Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals", deploying a nationwide organization and promotion of a three-year comprehensive safety management of hazardous chemicals. It proposed 40 specific tasks and made clear requirements for promoting comprehensive safety management of hazardous chemicals. The "Plan" points out that it is necessary to conscientiously implement a series of important decisions and arrangements made by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on strengthening production safety, and deeply remember the lessons of the particularly serious fire and explosion accident in the dangerous goods warehouse of Ruihai Company in Tianjin Port on "8·12" in 2015, and comprehensively Strengthen comprehensive safety management of hazardous chemicals, effectively prevent and contain major accidents involving hazardous chemicals, and ensure the safety of people's lives and property. The "Plan" proposes the following main work items to promote comprehensive safety management of hazardous chemicals: 1. Comprehensively assess the safety risks of hazardous chemicals and establish a distribution file of safety risks of hazardous chemicals. 2. Effectively prevent and contain major accidents of hazardous chemicals, strengthen the management and control of high-risk chemicals, major hazard sources, functional areas involving major risks of hazardous chemicals, and transportation safety of hazardous chemicals, and comprehensively launch the implementation of hazardous chemicals in densely populated areas Product production and storage enterprises are relocated. 3. Improve the hazardous chemicals safety supervision system and mechanism, further improve and improve the government supervision responsibility system, establish a more powerful overall coordination mechanism, and strengthen the hazardous chemicals safety management responsibilities of industrial authorities. 4. Further improve hazardous chemicals safety laws, regulations and relevant standards, and strengthen

2017-10-12

Article classification

News

>Environmental protection regulations

The State Council of China issued a document to deploy comprehensive safety management of hazardous chemicals and proposed ten major tasks.

2017-10-12

News

>Environmental protection regulations

China’s “foreign garbage” ban may lead to a transformation in foreign product design

Japan's METI warns companies to comply with chemical inspection law

Washington State Children's Product Safety Law Proposal Adds 18 Substances of High Concern

Guidelines for the management of chemical substances under the EU non-toxic policy

The U.S. CPSC recommends adding new exclusion items for testing plasticizers in children’s products

Certain plastics contained in toys are exempt from third-party testing requirements for phthalates

U.S. EPA announces formaldehyde emission regulations

The number of sustainability reports in Taiwan has surged since 2014

US NGO launches MADE SAFE product safety certification mechanism

The State Council of China issued a document to deploy comprehensive safety management of hazardous chemicals and proposed ten major tasks.

News

>Environmental protection regulations

China’s “foreign garbage” ban may lead to a transformation in foreign product design

Japan's METI warns companies to comply with chemical inspection law

Washington State Children's Product Safety Law Proposal Adds 18 Substances of High Concern

Guidelines for the management of chemical substances under the EU non-toxic policy

The U.S. CPSC recommends adding new exclusion items for testing plasticizers in children’s products

Certain plastics contained in toys are exempt from third-party testing requirements for phthalates

U.S. EPA announces formaldehyde emission regulations

The number of sustainability reports in Taiwan has surged since 2014

US NGO launches MADE SAFE product safety certification mechanism

The State Council of China issued a document to deploy comprehensive safety management of hazardous chemicals and proposed ten major tasks.