Preview of Current Asia Pacific HSE News as of 5 May, 2008

Just 3 sub-headings out of 21 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 21 Current HSE News

Australia – Commonwealth, NSW, Queensland and Victoria 1)         Government announces timetable for the national emissions trading scheme Made known on 17 March 2008.

• The Commonwealth Government announced its intention to implement a national emissions trading scheme by 2010 as part of the November 2007 election campaign.
• The recent announcement details the public consultation and legislative processes leading up to implementation of the scheme.

http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/wong/2008/pubs/mr20080317.pdf
China 1) Circular on the Water Pollution Prevention Plan for Key River Basins such as Huaihe, Haihe, Liaohe, Chaohu, Dianchi, Middle and Upper Reaches of the Yellow River, etc. (2006-2010) (http://www.mep.gov.cn/info/bgw/bwj/200804/t20080423_121569.htm)
Published on 14 April 2008.

• The goals and objectives of the Plan till 2010, are to manage and protect the centralized drinking water sources of the six key river basins;
• significantly improve the environmental quality of water in the cross-provincial boundary areas;
• ensure that key industries and companies comply with the overall pollutant discharge standards;
• improve urban wastewater treatment; effectively manage the mass-loading control of water pollutants discharge; and

Japan 1) Amendments to Enforcement Regulation of Sewage Law (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ordinance No.9 of 21 March 2008) Adopted on 21 March 2008.

• The amended Enforcement Regulation of 21 March 2008 provides that escherichia coli shall not be detected in treated sewage and 2mg (as SiO2 - Silica) or less has to be ensured for turbidity of sewage.