環保時事 - Page 38 of 86

China has the capability to exceed its current emissions reduction targets by 2023.

A recent study published in the environmental science journal *Resources, Conservation & Recycling* shows that China has an opportunity to control its total primary energy consumption to a more reasonable level and achieve its carbon emission reduction targets around 2023. Whether China, which accounts for a quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions, can achieve its carbon reduction targets as soon as possible is crucial. Yang Fuqiang, senior advisor at the Natural Resources Defense Council, believes that the closer China's carbon reduction targets are to 2020, the higher the likelihood of achieving the global carbon emission targets declared in 2020. 2020 is widely considered a critical year for global climate action; if carbon emissions cannot be reduced to the set targets by 2020, humanity will face catastrophic consequences such as accelerated sea-level rise and worsening extreme weather events. This study, a collaboration between Yuan Jiahai, professor at the School of Economics and Management of North China Electric Power University, and Liu Qilin, visiting researcher at the Center for Asian Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, focuses on China's energy consumption. Carbon dioxide accounts for 77% of global greenhouse gases, and more than 90% of carbon dioxide comes from energy consumption; therefore, reducing carbon emissions from energy consumption is a primary task in mitigating climate change. China's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to the United Nations in 2015 aimed to reduce the country's carbon dioxide emissions by 60%–65% per unit of GDP by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. (Yuan Jiahai)

2017-12-06

EU REACH investigation report found that many plasticizers in toys exceeded the standard

An investigation report to be released by the EU REACH enforcement agency found that one out of five toys inspected on the market was found to contain phthalates that did not comply with EU regulations and contained excessive amounts. REACH-En-Force-4 (Ref-4), an enforcement unit under the EU ECHA, surveyed the products on the market in 29 countries for the 14 hazardous substance restriction specifications in Appendix 17 of REACH and found the following five major categories of non-compliance with REACH Violations: ˙ Among 464 toy products, 19.7% was found to contain phthalates such as DEHP, DBP and BBP exceeding the limit; ˙ Among 86 items of brazing fillers, 14.4% was found to have cadmium; ˙ 213 items Among the finished products, 13.6% was found to contain asbestos; ˙ Among 467 leather products, 13.3% was found to contain hexavalent chromium; ˙ Among 124 items of jewelry, 12.1% was found to contain cadmium. The supervisor of Ref-4 said that a total of 5,625 items were sampled for inspection in this survey, of which 17 items were substances, 1,009 items were mixtures, and the other 4,599 items were finished products. Moreover, in order to cope with the current changes in consumer purchasing behavior, approximately 20% of the above 5,625 items were purchased in online shopping malls to reflect current consumer behavior. We hereby urge Taiwanese small and medium-sized enterprise manufacturers to sell their products and parts to the EU to confirm whether the raw materials and processing processes contain hazardous substances specified in the REACH directive. If the products or processes must be added, they must

2017-12-06

EU extends the validity of exemption provisions of RoHS 2 directive

On October 31, 2017, the European Union promulgated a new law in the Official Journal to amend Directive 2011/65/EU, commonly known as the RoHS 2 Directive. The RoHS 2 Directive restricts businesses from using certain hazardous substances, including cadmium, in electrical and electronic equipment. The newly promulgated "European Commission Authorization Directive No. 2017/1975" amends Annex III of the "RoHS 2 Directive". The annex lists various exemptions for banned hazardous substances. This revision involves the exemptions available for the use of cadmium in color-changing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of current display devices. The directive pointed out that item 39 of Annex III of the RoHS 2 Directive stipulates that the use of cadmium in color-changing LEDs in light-emitting and display equipment is exempted until July 1, 2014. The European Commission received an application to extend the exemption period before January 1, 2013. According to Article 5 of the RoHS 2 Directive, the European Commission may add or extend exemptions in certain circumstances, including when there are doubts about the reliability of alternatives to restricted substances, or when the alternatives have environmental, human health and safety concerns. The benefits cannot make up for the overall adverse effects in these three areas. The directive points out that color-changing LEDs using quantum dots have proven to be superior to previous technologies in terms of energy saving and color performance. Compared with other existing alternative technologies, using cadmium-containing quantum dots in display devices consumes less energy, so the overall benefits outweigh the disadvantages. At the same time, if the display device using quantum dots is changed to

2017-12-06

Costco strengthens enforcement of its chemical substance management policy.

Costco, a well-known American chain of wholesale retailers, announced a partnership with the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry (BCGC) to advance its chemical substance management policy. Earlier this year (2017), Costco also announced a hazardous substance screening project to test and evaluate chemicals in its products, but the announcement did not specify which hazardous chemicals would be targeted. According to the latest news on Costco's website, the new chemical substance management policy will not be limited to compliance with current regulations, but will conduct safety assessments from the raw materials, manufacturing processes, consumer use, and disposal stages, aiming to ensure that its products do not have a negative impact on human health and the environment. Currently, this chemical substance management policy specifically focuses on flame retardants, phthalates, and perfluorinated chemicals. Costco plans to encourage its suppliers to gain a deeper understanding of the chemicals used in the manufacturing process of its products, enabling them to: • Identify Substances of Very High Concern (SHC) (through a comprehensive testing program); • Remove identified SHC and replace them with safer chemicals; • Identify whether suppliers are using SHC in their processes and replace the addition of hazardous substances with other innovative processes; • Review green certifications issued by impartial third-party organizations. Costco stated that it will collaborate with the BCGC in the long term to develop a comprehensive hazardous substance assessment and restriction strategy, and will simultaneously adjust...

2017-12-06

Hong Kong Eco Expo Observations: Building Energy Efficiency Trends Towards IoT Management and Data Analysis

Green building certification began in various countries in the 1990s and has evolved from using environmentally friendly building materials and being environmentally friendly to focusing on energy conservation. Now, it is moving towards integrating with local communities, ensuring that environmental protection extends beyond just the building itself. At the 2017 Hong Kong Eco Expo, many exhibitors in the building sector offered services using the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics to assist in safety and energy management. In the green building materials sector, several companies launched their own independently developed insulation coatings to reduce the need for air conditioning. "Ninety percent of Hong Kong's electricity is used indoors," noted Kan Hon-pang, Director of Property Development at Schneider Electric. Chan Wing-hong, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Green Building Council, also pointed out that two-thirds of Hong Kong's energy waste currently occurs in buildings. "Energy efficiency is an energy resource that every country possesses," Chan emphasized, adding that any country can have sufficient energy by improving energy efficiency. Chan pointed out that while Hong Kong's hardware energy efficiency is gradually improving, the increasing number of electrical appliances means that overall energy consumption continues to rise. Therefore, Hong Kong is currently moving towards leveraging data and information to enable collaboration among developers, technology companies, and property management firms for energy conservation. Jian Hanpeng used smart bracelets for health management to explain the application of IoT systems in buildings. These systems rely on sensors to wirelessly transmit data, thereby adjusting air conditioning, lighting, and appliances in real time. The goal is to help users improve the energy efficiency of their buildings by up to three times. For example, detecting when someone turns on the lights and air conditioning...

2017-12-06

DOMI's Environmental Dream

On August 6, 2014, the Executive Yuan approved the "Green Energy Industry Leap Forward Plan," concentrating resources on promoting four main industries: solar photovoltaic, LED lighting photovoltaic, wind power, and energy ICT. Leveraging Taiwan's strong foundation and advantages in ICT, semiconductor, electromechanical, and materials industries, the plan adopts a service-oriented approach to expand downstream into system services and increase overseas system energy exports, rapidly integrating into the global division of labor and creating new momentum for the growth of the green energy industry. Green Energy, recognizing the market potential of the green energy industry, created the DOMI brand, dedicated to reducing energy consumption using existing technologies. Through a series of environmental education activities and tree-planting parties, Green Energy sows seeds of love and care for Taiwan in the hearts of children, truly ensuring the continuation of environmental conservation. Green Energy co-founder Lien Ting-kai stated that the primary reason for establishing such a company was for the sake of future generations. Having worked and lived in Beijing for many years, he hadn't really noticed the air pollution until he heard about a colleague's daughter's persistent cough. A doctor's diagnosis revealed lung damage from inhaling polluted air, preventing her from engaging in strenuous exercise for two years. It was then that he, a parent himself, realized the true impact of such an environment on health. So, after returning to Taiwan with his friends, they were constantly thinking about what they could do for the next generation. Just then, the documentary "Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above" was released, and its content deeply moved them. The film showed how their "home" had become scarred and covered in layers of pollution, further solidifying their understanding.

2017-12-06

Sweden establishes a chemical substitution center for SMEs to promote sustainable textile initiatives.

The Swedish government has announced plans to establish a Substitution Center for SMEs in Boras, a city with a high concentration of textile and chemical industries. Through research and development, the center will assist SMEs in replacing hazardous substances in their products, contributing to the goals of the Sustainable Textile Initiative. Located within the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), the center will leverage the institute's resources to provide SMEs with industry innovation information and facilitate collaboration between SMEs and large corporations, industry associations, regulatory bodies, and academia. This will involve systematically and strategically identifying alternatives to hazardous substances in textile products. Database construction will be used to analyze chemical safety information and non-chemical methods and technologies to identify future research and development directions. The government estimates that approximately 32,000 companies in Sweden will be affected by the Sustainable Textile Initiative, including about 13,000 manufacturing companies and the remaining 19,000 wholesale and retail businesses. Karolina Skog, head of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, pointed out that purchasing safe and reliable products should be a fundamental right for all consumers. Therefore, while promoting sustainable textile initiatives, the aforementioned 13,000 manufacturing companies will be key implementers of chemical substitution solutions. Source: Chemical Watch (2017-11-10) (PID)

2017-12-06

2017 Green Electronics Brand Rankings: Fairphone and Apple Green; Taiwan's Top Two Brands Face a Shortage of Successors.

Greenpeace today (October 17th) released its "2017 Guide to Greener Electronics" globally, directly naming Samsung, Huawei, and Amazon as the least environmentally responsible companies. While Taiwanese electronics brands Acer and ASUS had previously pledged to gradually phase out polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFR) from their products, they have not yet completely eliminated them. In contrast, only Apple and Google have completely banned PVC and BFR across their entire product lines. Global electronics brands are increasingly environmentally conscious, adopting environmentally priority policies and practices in everything from energy to raw material sourcing. This necessitates industrial transformation for Taiwan, a country renowned for its electronics manufacturing, to adapt to global market trends. Greenpeace recommends that Taiwan's electronics industry leverage its R&D and production technologies, using ease of repair and durability as design foundations, while increasing the use of recycled materials and energy. This will not only achieve a circular economy but also create new opportunities in the face of climate change challenges. Lee Chih-An, Global IT Project Manager at Greenpeace, stated, "Consumer electronics have short lifecycles, rapidly consuming the Earth's limited resources and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The electronics industry still needs to work hard to improve product recycling programs, encourage users to actively recycle used electronic products, and develop more efficient recycling technologies to truly move towards a circular economy." Greenpeace evaluated 17 globally renowned electronics brands, with evaluation criteria including (1) increasing recycling...

2017-11-16

California mandates more detailed labeling for cleaning products starting in 2021.

California recently passed a law requiring manufacturers of various cleaning products to comply with the strictest chemical disclosure regulations in the United States to date by January 1, 2021, while online disclosure must be implemented by January 1, 2020. Experts believe that if the new law is not rejected by a California referendum or successfully challenged in court, it will become the de facto national standard. This is because manufacturers may find it more practical and cost-effective to create labels that comply with California standards and then use them on cleaning products marketed nationwide. California's Right to Know Cleaning Products Act (SB 258), passed on October 15, requires manufacturers of designated cleaning products sold in the state to disclose information about the chemicals contained in their products on product labels and on their product websites. "Designated products" refer to cleaning products primarily used in commercial, household, or institutional settings, including air fresheners, automotive products, general cleaning products, and polishing or floor waxing products. Products not included in this definition are: (1) food, medicine, and cosmetics, including personal care products such as toothpaste, shampoo, and hand soap; (2) industrial products specifically manufactured and used in oil and gas production, steel production, heavy industrial manufacturing, industrial water treatment, industrial textile maintenance and processing (excluding industrial washing), food and beverage processing and packaging, and other industrial production processes; and (3) designated trial samples of products not packaged for individual sale, resale, or retail, with a written statement indicating that the product may not be sold or resold. From 20

2017-11-16

China's ban on "foreign waste" may prompt a shift in foreign product design.

Can upgrading raw material design and application standards help us eliminate the various wastes generated by the current economic model? Policymakers in China and Europe believe so. It is well known that the circular economy concept has also attracted the attention of large multinational corporations such as Coca-Cola, profoundly influencing their product business design. Every year, the global cost of landfill incineration, waste disposal, and pollution management reaches billions of dollars, and the circular economy model can help us save on this expense. To build a more resource-efficient and sustainable economy, the Chinese government and the European Union seem to have naturally found a point of cooperation. Since the Industrial Revolution, industrial development has adopted an exploitative model—a three-step process of extracting resources, manufacturing products, and then discarding them. While this model has met development needs and lifted billions out of poverty, it has also caused massive waste and pollution. From the perspective of exacerbating resource scarcity, the negative impacts of this model are already becoming apparent. Industry and governments have realized that a different system must be established to bring more resilient long-term prosperity and free economic growth from negative impacts. This is our current task—promoting the circular economy model. Plastics are a hallmark material of the modern economy, ubiquitous and widely used, yet their growth rate is astonishing. Plastics can be described as having a typical linear life cycle: from finite resources to products, and finally discarded after use.

2017-11-16

Control of chemical substances in recycled materials is ECHA’s biggest challenge

The EU is currently actively promoting circular economy initiatives. While promoting circular economy, it also proposes future plans for regulatory adjustment. Bjorn Hansen, Director of the European Chemical Agency (ECHA), made an important point in his inauguration speech. In addition to promoting the circular economy, countries around the world will inevitably face the reuse of recycled materials, and the application of these recycled materials may be very diverse. Extensive, even atypical. Therefore, as the European Union's chemical substance control agency, ECHA should have equally stringent requirements for chemical substances in recycled materials, or it should lower the requirements and provide more exclusionary scenarios to help increase recycling rates and accelerate the popularization of circular economy. Transitioning to a circular economy usually advocates the recycling of materials that still have value and can be recycled. However, how to find a balance between the control of hazardous substances and improving the recycling rate of materials is ECHA's top priority. The current regulations and measures taken by the European Union to promote the circular economy have much stricter standards for new materials than recycled materials. For example, under the REACH regulations, new PVC materials are not allowed to contain cadmium, but the exclusion items in the REACH regulations allow that in certain applications, recycled PVC materials can contain cadmium. Will EU consumers be happy to see harmful substances continue to exist in consumer products despite a sustainable cycle? These concerns have been raised by more than just ECHA. Also raised in the EU Parliament’s consultation meeting on the adjustment of chemical substances, products and waste regulations

2017-11-16

Duke University study: Haze significantly reduces the efficiency of photovoltaic power generation in China

According to data from the International Energy Agency, China added 34 GW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity in 2016, more than double that of the United States, accounting for half of the world's new installed capacity. If clean energy, represented by solar power, can replace the coal-fired power generation structure, it will greatly improve China's environmental situation. Huge investments in clean energy are one of the key initiatives of governments at all levels in China. Installing PV panels improves air quality—this is a cause-and-effect relationship we've always understood. But what about the reverse? Will the still-improving air quality negatively impact PV power generation? A recent study from Duke University confirms this question. Based on global climate model data from NASA's GISS, the study found that particulate matter in air pollution can significantly reduce PV power generation efficiency, by as much as 17%. Short-wave solar radiation is absorbed and scattered by dust and particulate matter; this phenomenon, known as solar dimming, reduces the intensity of radiation received by PV modules, resulting in power loss. According to the study, based on China's current PV power generation capacity, the power loss caused by smog is estimated at 11 GW, nearly one-third of China's new PV installed capacity. It is noteworthy that human-caused particulate matter has a greater impact on photovoltaic power generation than natural dust. Researchers sampled and analyzed the deposits on the surface of photovoltaic modules, finding that only 8% consisted of non-dust particles, i.e., particles generated by human activities. This 8%...

2017-11-16

Formosa Plastics ranks last among the world's 22 largest chemical companies in terms of "low-carbon response strategies".

To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, the role of the chemical industry cannot be ignored. CDP, the world's largest environmental data platform, released a new report this month, "Catalyst for Change," analyzing the performance of the world's 22 largest chemical companies in their "low-carbon response strategies." The report points out that process improvements in the chemical industry are generally not transparent enough, with insufficient information disclosure. High-polluting processes such as those for petrochemical products still require more proactive innovation to have a chance of meeting the Paris Agreement's 2°C target. The chemical industry is a major energy consumer, accounting for one-eighth of global industrial carbon emissions, and is an indispensable link in the supply chains of other industries; for example, nearly 95% of industrial products rely on some form of chemicals. The "Catalyst for Change" report analyzed the carbon emissions of the world's 22 largest chemical companies, with a total market capitalization of $626 billion and annual carbon dioxide emissions reaching 276 million tons. In terms of performance rankings, Johnson Matthey, AkzoNobel, and DSM were among the best performers; Dow Chemical and LyondellBasell Industries were among the worst performers, with Formosa Plastics Group ranking last. The report, based on recommendations from Mark Carney's Working Group on Climate-Related Financial Risk Disclosure (TCFD), used four key indicators...

2017-11-16

Cardboard boxes are expensive and environmentally unfriendly, so China is promoting shared parcel lockers.

China is about to experience a surge in express delivery orders during the "Singles' Day" shopping festival. Statistics show that in 2016, the mainland's express delivery volume reached a staggering 31.2 billion pieces. However, cardboard boxes are expensive and environmentally unfriendly, prompting some companies to launch reusable "shared express boxes." According to reports from CCTV News and China News Service, statistics from the State Post Bureau of China indicate that in 2016, China's express delivery volume exceeded 31.2 billion pieces for the first time, requiring 46 million metric tons of corrugated cardboard, accounting for one-third of the global total, equivalent to approximately 72 million trees. This year, Suning Logistics will launch lighter and more portable "shared express boxes," with plans to deploy 200,000 by 2018 for self-pickup and door-to-door delivery services for 3C products, baby products, and fragile fast-moving consumer goods. Hou Enlong, president of Suning.com, said, "If the entire e-commerce industry joins Suning.com's shared parcel box project, pooling everyone's efforts, we can save nearly 46.3 Lesser Khingan Mountains (of trees) a year." The report indicates that the shared parcel box is a square plastic container. After delivery, the courier folds it up into a flat plastic sheet and takes it back to the warehouse for reuse. The production cost of a single shared parcel box is RMB 25 (approximately NT$115), and it can be recycled an average of 6 times per week. The estimated lifespan of a single parcel box is over 1000 uses, with a single use cost of only RMB 0.025. The report also points out that in addition to parcel boxes, some e-commerce companies have launched reusable packaging bags. These bags are sealed with drawstrings and are collected by delivery personnel, returned to the warehouse for repackaging and reuse. Source: Huanqiu.com

2017-11-16

The trend of "science-based carbon reduction targets" is gaining momentum among apparel manufacturers.

More than 300 apparel manufacturers recently pledged to participate in the fight against global warming through Science-Based Targets (SBTs). Under this agreement, these 300 companies must work closely with organizations such as the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to reduce carbon emissions, with a target of 2 degrees Celsius. What are SBTs? Simply put, companies must adhere to the stringent emission standards of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and submit concrete carbon reduction measures covering aspects such as water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and deforestation impact. The CDP will use this as one of the key criteria for evaluating companies' sustainability efforts. As the CDP's review process becomes increasingly stringent, companies that submit carbon reduction targets that align with IPCC reports will receive additional points in this rigorous scoring mechanism. The CDP hopes to encourage companies to unleash their creative potential in return. CDP will provide high-performing companies with numerous exposure opportunities, including the 2016 Corporate Clima published by CDP.

2017-11-16

Fulfilling social responsibility, Ruizhe creates a green fragrance kingdom.

The art of perfumery originated in ancient Egypt and was further refined by the ancient Romans and Arabs. During the Renaissance, it was primarily used by nobles and the wealthy to mask body odor after using the toilet. With the patronage of these powerful individuals, the perfume industry flourished. Today, aromatic essential oils are widely used, playing a vital role in both health and mental well-being. However, the fragrance market has long been dominated by international giants. Ruizhe Enterprise, located in the Sanying Industrial Park, chose the automotive market, often overlooked by these international manufacturers, and gradually achieved a leading position in the automotive air freshener market. Currently, it holds 127 patents in 8 countries, has launched thousands of products, and exports to over 35 countries. The story of Ruizhe's success is built on perseverance. The founding of Ruizhe Enterprise began with General Manager Huang Qijuan. After obtaining two master's degrees from abroad, she worked in the United States for a period before deciding to return to Taiwan to be with her family. She joined a local company that produced household air fresheners, but the company soon closed down. She and several colleagues discussed investing together and decided to start their own business, thus accidentally entering the air freshener industry. Not long after, her colleagues gradually found other jobs and left the company. Huang Qijuan, unwilling to see her investment go to waste, decided to persevere, thus achieving her current success. Recalling the early days of Ruizhe over 20 years ago, General Manager Huang stated that in the early days, they used their own home as the company. The interior contained only two rented tables, the living room served as the office, the kitchen as the spice room, and the garage as the production line.

2017-11-16

EU strengthens implementation of SDSs quality improvement project

The European Union strengthens the implementation of the SDSs quality improvement project. Starting from January this year (2017), auditors from EU member states will focus on the safe use guidelines for hazardous substances in chemical substance safety data sheets (SDSs), in accordance with REACH Regulation 5 This law enforcement project requires that the quality of information disclosure be strengthened. The General Administration of Chemistry stated that the main purpose of this project is to ensure that production line employees can understand the dangers of chemical substances and use them in the correct way when they are exposed to harmful chemicals. When auditors perform inspections, they will focus on whether the information in SDSs is consistent with the information in Chemical Safety Reports (CSRs) created by chemical manufacturers. The auditor will also review the exposure scenarios (Exposure Scenario) that should be attached to the SDSs. Finally, through auditors' reports and statistical analysis of data, the General Administration of Chemical Industry will evaluate the current communication efficiency of this important information from the source chemical substance manufacturer, through the product manufacturing supply chain, and finally to the hands of consumers. intensity, and will use the results of this implementation project to formulate the chemical substance information management method for the next stage. The project will also work with labor inspectors in each member country to collect information on whether manufacturers have implemented chemical substance management systems and whether production line employees correctly understand the safe use of chemical substances. Europeanization

2017-10-12

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Latest Articles

China has the capability to exceed its current emissions reduction targets by 2023.

EU REACH investigation report found that many plasticizers in toys exceeded the standard

EU extends the validity of exemption provisions of RoHS 2 directive

Costco strengthens enforcement of its chemical substance management policy.

Hong Kong Eco Expo Observations: Building Energy Efficiency Trends Towards IoT Management and Data Analysis

DOMI's Environmental Dream

Sweden establishes a chemical substitution center for SMEs to promote sustainable textile initiatives.

2017 Green Electronics Brand Rankings: Fairphone and Apple Green; Taiwan's Top Two Brands Face a Shortage of Successors.

California mandates more detailed labeling for cleaning products starting in 2021.

China's ban on "foreign waste" may prompt a shift in foreign product design.

Control of chemical substances in recycled materials is ECHA’s biggest challenge

Duke University study: Haze significantly reduces the efficiency of photovoltaic power generation in China

Formosa Plastics ranks last among the world's 22 largest chemical companies in terms of "low-carbon response strategies".

Cardboard boxes are expensive and environmentally unfriendly, so China is promoting shared parcel lockers.

The trend of "science-based carbon reduction targets" is gaining momentum among apparel manufacturers.

Fulfilling social responsibility, Ruizhe creates a green fragrance kingdom.

EU strengthens implementation of SDSs quality improvement project