- Department:Evaluation Management Division
The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) announces that nitrous oxide is listed as the first “chemical substance of concern” on October 30. In the future, the EPA will cooperate with the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), and the police authority to impose controls on nitrous oxide. In addition to requiring companies for manufacturing, importing, selling, using, and storing nitrous oxide to obtain approval and register operating data, the EPA prohibit transactions on the online platforms.
Heavy penalty is imposed on anyone who misuses nitrous oxide. Those who result in the death or endanger the health of the other person will be probably subject to life imprisonment or at least 7 years of imprisonment, with a fine of NTD 10 million at most. In addition, the users without approval will be subject to fines of from NTD 30 to 300 thousand.
The “Four Yes and Two No” control measure, which are Yes to obtaining approval, labeling, recording every transaction and doing monthly declaration; and No to online transactions and using without approval, implemented by EPA demands nitrous oxide handlers to improve their recording of material flows and transactions, which enables authorities concerned to track and inspect flows from manufacture, import, sale, use to storage. In the meantime, except for special purposes approved by governments, sulfur dioxide, which has a stinky odor, should be added into nitrous oxide cylinders to stop the improper use like inhalation.
EPA explained that nitrous oxide is the first concerned chemical substance after “Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Control Act” took effect on January 16 this year. For those who handle nitrous oxide for industrial purposes before this new policy is announced, it is a must to record every transaction, make monthly declarations online, and stop any online transaction upon announcement. Besides, these current handlers must obtain an approval document, label containers or packages, prepare a safety data sheet (SDS), and add sulfur dioxide into nitrous oxide cylinders before May 1, 2021.
To protect the health of the people and implement the regulations, the EPA will cooperate with the MOEA, the MOHW, and the police authority to form a joint team to actively inspect illegal handlers of nitrous oxide from November 1, 2020. The interdepartmental collaboration will make every effort to prevent the recurrence of misuse or illegal use of nitrous oxide.
The announcement has completed the administrative procedures of public comment including drafts, discussion and negotiation, etc., in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. For details of the relevant information, please visit the EPA news section to download the file.
(https://enews.moenv.gov.tw/enews/fact_index.asp), which is also posted on The Executive Yuan Gazette Online (https://gazette.nat.gov.tw/egFront/) for reference.
