Recently, the Ministry of Environment in Taiwan, China published a draft amendment of the Categories and Management of Handling for Toxic Chemical Substances, and commenced a period of public comments. This amendment primarily targets persistent organic pollutants, which pose serious risks to biological health due to their non-degradability, long-distance migration, and high bioaccumulation. In accordance with the United Nations Stockholm Convention, the ministry plans to officially list 357 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS),its salts and related compounds, as well as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) ,its salts and related compounds, as toxic chemical substances.
The main amendment includes:
- Adjusts control concentrations: In accordance with the EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations, the control concentrations for nonylphenol (NP) and nonylphenol polyethoxyl (NPEO) were adjusted to 0.1%.
- Updates toxicity classification: Based on the clarity regarding their endocrine-disrupting properties, the toxicity classification for NP was adjusted to 1,3,4, and for NPEO to 1,4. Following updates in toxicological data, the classification for PFOS,its salts and related compounds, as well as PFOA,its salts and related compounds, were adjusted to 1,2,4.
- Updates CAS numbers: According to the EU REACH and the US Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), 12 new CAS numbers for NP and 28 for NPEO were added to aid in substance identification.
- Adds toxic chemical substances: Five new chemicals including potassium perfluorooctane sulfonate, ammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate, diethanolammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate, tetraethylammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate, and didecyldimethylammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate were added as toxic chemical substances. These are managed together with previously controlled substances such as perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, lithium perfluorooctane sulfonate, and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride. Additionally, 352 PFOA, its salts and related compounds were added as toxic chemical substances, managed together with previously listed PFOA.
- Prohibits specific uses: The use of NP and NPEO is prohibited for the following purposes:
- Manufacturing of cleaning agents for industrial and public institutions
- Processing of textiles or leather products
- Metalworking
- Manufacturing of pulp or paper
However, exceptions are made where they can be completely recycled, incinerated, or removed from wastewater in controlled systems, processes, and treatment equipment, and are not used or sold in the domestic market.
- Adjusts usage purposes: The usage purposes for NP and NPEO, as well as the newly listed PFOS, its salts and related compounds, and PFOA, its salts and related compounds, were adjusted.
- Publishes a schedule: A schedule were published for the completion of related matters concerning the management of toxic chemical substances within specified deadlines.
The full content of the draft amendment can be accessed at the following website:
https://enews.moenv.gov.tw/DisplayFile.aspx?FileID=2A15D5235A988890
he ministry stated that existing operators will be given a grace period of one to one and a half years to comply with the new regulations. The ministry also urges all sectors of society to provide feedback or suggestions by November 20, 2024, to aid in the refinement of the draft amendment.
