Preview of Current Asia Pacific HSE News as of 7 July, 2008

Just 4 sub-headings out of 22 of the current Asia Pacific Health, Safety and Environmental news around Asia Pacific. Members are encouraged to log into the Table of Contents to find out more details of the 22 Current HSE News

China 1)         Adding 85 Chemical Substances to the Inventory of the Existing Chemical Substances in China 85种化学物质被列入《已在中国境内生产或者进口的化学物质名单》 http://www.sepa.gov.cn/info/bgw/bbgth/200806/t20080624_124463.htm
Included on 18 June 2008.

• including acetate polymers (including 2, 6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, 4-hydrocy-benzoic acid, etc.).
• The 85 chemical substances will be managed as existing chemical substances.

2)         Health Standard for the Use of Food Additives (GB2760-2007) Errata http://202.96.155.169/publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/mohwsjdj/pggtg/200805/35632.

• Existing food labels, which do not meet the requirements of the Standard or the relevant MOH circular, can be used until 31 December 2008.
• Foods in packages with non-compliant labels can be sold within their shelf life.

Australia – Commonwealtn, NSW, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia 1)         Guidelines for Notification of New Chemicals Containing 'Free' Isocyanate Functional Groups (Chemical Gazette No. C04, 1 April 2008) Released on 1 April 2008.

• aim to help persons introducing new chemicals containing isocyanates comply with the notification requirements under the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989.

Singapore 1)         Workplace Safety and Health (Shipbuilding and Ship-Repairing) Regulations 2008 (S 270/2008) Published on 23 May 2008.

• will replace the Factories (Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing) Regulations from 1 August 2008.