On November 4, 2025, the Chemical Substances Management Agency of Taiwan's Ministry of Environment announced a draft amendment to the Categories and Management of Handling for Toxic Chemical Substances under the Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Control Act. Originally enacted in 2007 and revised 16 times since, this amendment aims to strengthen the management of toxic chemical substances in Taiwan.
Key Revisions Include:
Addition of Three New Listed Toxic Chemical Substances (Amendment to Appendix 1 of Point 1)
Methoxychlor, Dechlorane Plus (also known as Decchlorane), and 2-(2H-Benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-ditertpentylphenol (UV-328) are newly listed as toxic chemical substances, with specified control concentrations and graded handling quantities. A note regarding the usage period for tetrachloroethylene as a cleaning agent was also added.
- Methoxychlor: Classified as Category 1, 3, and 4 toxic chemical substance due to bio-concentration, persistence, and acute ecological toxicity. Control concentration is 0.1%, with a graded handling quantity of 50 kg.
- Dechlorane Plus: Classified as Category 1 and 4 toxic chemical substance due to bio-concentration and persistence. Control concentration is 0.1%, with a graded handling quantity of 50 kg.
- UV-328: Classified as Category 1 and 4 toxic chemical substance due to bio-concentration and persistence. Control concentration is set at full concentration (100%), with a graded handling quantity of 50 kg. Referencing EU POP Regulation (EU) 2025/843, threshold limits for UV-328 are established. Substances or mixtures are exempt from control if the UV-328 concentration is unintentional and meets:
- ≤ 10 mg/kg before August 4, 2027.
- ≤ 1 mg/kg before August 4, 2029.
Adjustment of Prohibited Operations (Amendment to Appendix 2 of Point 2)
Prohibitions on manufacturing, import, sale, and use are added for Methoxychlor, Dechlorane Plus, and UV-328. Prohibitions for Mercury and Tetrachloroethylene are revised.
- Manufacturing, import, sale, and use of Methoxychlor and Dechlorane Plus are prohibited, except for research, testing, or educational purposes.
- Manufacturing, import, sale, and use of Mercury and UV-328 are prohibited, unless otherwise specified in Appendix 3.
- Tetrachloroethylene has been designated as Category 1 and Category 2 Toxic Chemical Substances since 1997. Referencing the US Final Risk Management Rule and considering actual operational practices in Taiwan, a new prohibition on the use of tetrachloroethylene in cleaning agents has been established.
Revision of Permitted Uses (Amendment to Appendix 3 of Point 3)
Permitted uses are defined for the newly listed substances, and uses for Mercury and Tetrachloroethylene are updated.
- Methoxychlor and Dechlorane Plus are permitted only for research, testing, and education.
- Mercury use adjustments include:
- Removal of permitted uses for metallurgy, mirror coatings, and manufacturing of button-type silver oxide/zinc-air batteries with mercury content <2%.
- Revision of manufacturing deadlines for specific fluorescent lamps for general lighting.
- Allowance for manufacturing switches, relays, CCFLs/EEFLs for displays, and measuring instruments where no suitable alternatives exist.
- Tetrachloroethylene is prohibited in cleaning agents, except for entities with existing registration/approval who may continue use until current stocks in dry-cleaning machine reservoirs are depleted.
- Exemptions for UV-328 are adjusted referencing the Stockholm Convention, clarifying its permitted uses.
Operators currently handling toxic chemical substances shall complete the relevant matters within the specified deadlines. (Amendment to Appendix 4 of Point 4)
The Ministry emphasizes that the revision involves requirements for permits, labeling, transportation, monitoring equipment, and specialist personnel. Existing operators are granted a transition period of 1 to 1.5 years to adapt and are encouraged to find substitute substances to minimize environmental and health impacts.
Operators handling Methoxychlor, Dechlorane Plus, or UV-328 must comply with the following deadlines:
|
Requirement |
Deadline |
|
Record operational and release data, report regularly |
Recording shall commence from the date of announcement, with regular reporting as required. |
|
Submit hazard prevention and response plan |
November 1, 2026 |
|
Complete labeling of containers, packaging, facilities; prepare SDS |
November 1, 2026 |
|
Transport of toxic chemical substances |
May 1, 2027 |
|
Prepare emergency response tools and equipment |
November 1, 2026 |
|
Submit plan for response equipment, detection and alarm systems |
February 1, 2027 |
|
Submit plan for joint defense organization |
February 1, 2027 |
|
Complete installation of detection and alarm systems |
May 1, 2027 |
|
Implement approved hazard prevention and response plan |
From May 1, 2027 |
|
Appoint professional technical managers |
May 1, 2027 |
|
Obtain liability insurance |
Within 6 months of announcement |
|
Professional response personnel |
May 1, 2027 |
|
Obtain required permits, registration, or approval documents |
May 1, 2027 |
|
Other items not listed herein |
Comply per relevant regulations effective immediately |
The Ministry notes that Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) pose risks due to persistence, long-range transport, and bioaccumulation. This amendment aligns with the UN Stockholm Convention to control POPs. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments or suggestions within 30 days following the official announcement publication to the Ministry (Email: yilin.yu@moenv.gov.tw).
Further Information
