- Department:Chemicals Administration Ministry of Environment
On 9 January 2020, the EPA announced the Handlers of Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Required to Install Automated Detection Equipment with Online Connection to Competent Authorities. The regulation mandates operators of facilities handling Class 1 to Class 3 toxic chemical substances or hazardous concerned substances announced by the EPA to install automated detection equipment that records and shares data with local environmental bureaus. The announcement will take effect on 31 December 2021.
Phosgene and hydrogen cyanide are highly toxic gases with low IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) values. Inhalation of either gas can cause immediate health impacts or even death. Hence, to increase handling security of the two gases, handling facilities are required to directly transmits monitoring data to local competent authorities. The system allows competent authorities to perform immediate emergency response in the event of leakage or other accidents.
If the handling facilities meet the following criteria, the announcement will take effect on 31 December 2021, and operators are required to submit online connection verification reports and complete the connection prior to the promulgation date.
1. Facilities where phosgene is manufactured, used or stored.
2. Facilities where hydrogen cyanide is manufactured, used or stored, with a total quantity reaching 100 kg on any given day.
Source: EPA Major Environmental Policies, February 2020
