On March 26, 2024, Taiwan's Ministry of Labor (MOL) released a draft amendment of Regulations for Governing Designating and Handling of Priority Management Chemicals. This update follows the initial issuance on December 30, 2014, and the first amendment on November 5, 2021. This revision aims to enhance the grasp of operation information concerning priority management chemicals. The MOE is requesting for public comments on the amendment, and it will be closed at April 25, 2024. Comments can be sent via email k3180@osha.gov.tw
The main revision includes:
- Shortening the reporting period: To enable the central competent authority to gather relevant information more swiftly, for operators of priority management chemicals with fewer than 100 employees, the reporting period has been reduced from 18 months to 12 months. Additionally, operators must now provide both the company's unified number and the factory registration number when registering, instead of choosing one.
- Adjusting the reporting frequency: Originally, annual reporting was required for all priority management chemicals. Based on the hazard characteristics of the chemicals, the reporting frequency is now categorized into two: once a year for chemicals posing chronic health hazards, and twice a year for chemicals posing high risks (such as physical, explosive, or acute toxicity).
- Adding the reporting requirements for dynamic operation information: To effectively obtain the dynamic information of hazardous chemicals that pose immediate risks and reach a certain quantity, operators of priority management chemicals must report basic information and operational data again within 30 days if the total maximum operation quantity exceeds the previously reported amount and the excess reaches a critical volume.
- Penalties for violation: Operators who fail to report information on priority management chemicals as required will be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$300,000.
