Under the Environmental Protection and Management Act 1999, the Singapore Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment recently published the Environmental Protection and Management (Hazardous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. These new regulations will come into effect on August 1, 2025. The amendment introduces two new chemicals to the list of hazardous substances, including:
- Long‑chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC‑PFCAs) (chain lengths at least C9 but not exceeding C21); their salts and related compounds
- Medium‑chain chlorinated paraffins (chain lengths at least C14 but not exceeding C17)
To strengthen the management of these hazardous substances, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will implement a series of stringent control measures. Firstly, enterprises or individuals must obtain a Hazardous Substances Licence (HS Licence) to import, export, manufacture, or sell these substances. Additionally, the storage and use of these substances will also require a corresponding Hazardous Substances Permit (HS Permit) to ensure all operations comply with safety regulations and prevent potential risks to the environment or public health.
Enterprises must also implement safety management measures including proper storage conditions, safety equipment, emergency response measures, and employee safety training to reduce accidents and ensure effective response in emergencies. For some high-risk hazardous substances, an environmental impact assessment may also be required to evaluate their long-term effects on the environment.
Furthermore, the NEA will regularly monitor and inspect enterprises holding hazardous substances licences to ensure compliance with all relevant environmental and safety regulations. Violations of these regulations could result in severe penalties.
These new regulations aim to enhance environmental protection, ensure public health and safety, and improve the management and control of potentially hazardous chemicals.
