Transitional rules for China's MEE Order 12; Bjorn Hansen proposes "sustainable chemical" definition

06/05/20 • 19 min

In this week’s episode of the Chemical Watch Podcast, global managing editor Kate Lowe is joined from our Asia desk by Asia reporter Ellen Daliday and by Geraint Roberts, Chemical Watch's editorial director, to discuss two stories from the week.

Firstly, revisions to China's primary regulation governing new chemical substances have been finalised and are due to come into force at the beginning of next year. In the meantime, transitional arrangements have been proposed to manage new chemicals until the revised regulation comes into force.

Secondly, the recent Safer Chemicals Conference held by Echa heard executive director Dr Bjorn Hansen propose the idea that we need a definition of a "sustainable chemical" - based on safety, circularity and using less energy to produce.

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New chemicals management proposal in Mexico; Review of synergistic and antagonistic mixture effects

In this week’s episode of the Chemical Watch podcast, global managing editor Kate Lowe is joined from Dallas by Ginger Hervey, global and emerging markets reporter, and in the UK by Andrew Turley, Chemical Watch science editor, to discuss two stories from the last week:

Firstly, the debate that has followed a decision by Mexico's health department earlier this year to propose an overarching national chemicals policy placing the burden of proof on companies to show the substances they use are safe - a move which has stirred industry concern, and most recently the development of an alternative industry-sponsored proposal.
Secondly, the publication of the provisional findings of a literature review of studies on the mixture effects of substances - findings which could have implications for regulators seeking solutions to the longstanding issue of how to account for the effects of unintentional mixtures of environmental chemicals.

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Citizen petitions under TSCA could grow after fluoride trial; Canada mulls chemicals policy overhaul

In this latest episode of the Chemical Watch Podcast, global managing editor Kate Lowe is joined by reporter Terry Hyland, managing editor of our North America desk to discuss two stories from the week.

Firstly, a federal trial now underway in the US state of California that could set a new standard for how courts handle citizen petitions under TSCA – a development which could have considerable ramifications for stakeholders.

Secondly, we catch up with developments in Canada where after several years of anticipation, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act finally looks set for a major overhaul this autumn.