On November 4, 2025, Taiwan’s Chemical Substances Management Agency under the Ministry of Environment released a draft amendment to the Categories and Management of Handling for Toxic Chemical Substances under the Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substances Control Act. First enacted in 2007 and revised 16 times, the latest amendment aims to strengthen Taiwan’s oversight of toxic chemical substances.
Key Updates
1. Three New Toxic Substances Added (Appendix 1)
Methoxychlor, Dechlorane Plus (Decchlorane), and UV-328 are newly classified as toxic chemical substances, each with defined control concentrations and handling thresholds. A usage note for tetrachloroethylene in cleaning agents has also been added.
· Methoxychlor: Category 1, 3, and 4; 0.1% control concentration; 50 kg handling threshold.
· Dechlorane Plus: Category 1 and 4; 0.1% control concentration; 50 kg threshold.
· UV-328: Category 1 and 4; 100% control concentration; 50 kg threshold. Based on EU POP Regulation (EU) 2025/843, UV-328 is exempt if unintentional and:
o ≤10 mg/kg before Aug 4, 2027
o ≤1 mg/kg before Aug 4, 2029
2. Updated Prohibited Operations (Appendix 2)
New bans apply to manufacturing, import, sale, and use of Methoxychlor, Dechlorane Plus, and UV-328. Existing restrictions on mercury and tetrachloroethylene are also revised.
· Methoxychlor and Dechlorane Plus: Fully prohibited except for research, testing, or education.
· Mercury and UV-328: Prohibited unless specific exemptions in Appendix 3 apply.
· Tetrachloroethylene: Now banned in cleaning agents, aligning with U.S. risk management rules.
3. Revised Permitted Uses (Appendix 3)
Permitted uses for the newly listed substances are defined, while permissions for mercury and tetrachloroethylene are updated.
· Methoxychlor and Dechlorane Plus: Allowed only for research, testing, and educational purposes.
· Mercury: Removal of permissions for metallurgy, mirror coatings, and certain battery production; updated deadlines for fluorescent lamp manufacturing; some uses remain allowed where no alternatives exist.
· Tetrachloroethylene: Use in cleaning agents banned, except existing registered users may continue until current stock in dry-cleaning machine reservoirs is depleted.
· UV-328: Exemptions aligned with the Stockholm Convention.
4. Transition Period for Operators (Appendix 4)
Operators must meet new requirements related to permits, labeling, transport, monitoring equipment, and specialist staff. A transition period of 1–1.5 years is granted to comply. Businesses are encouraged to adopt safer alternatives to reduce environmental and health risks.
Operators handling Methoxychlor, Dechlorane Plus, or UV-328 must comply with the following deadlines:
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Requirement Deadline Record operational and release data, report regularly Recording shall commence from the date of announcement, with regular reporting as required. Submit hazard prevention and response plan November 1, 2026 Complete labeling of containers, packaging, facilities; prepare SDS November 1, 2026 Transport of toxic chemical substances May 1, 2027 Prepare emergency response tools and equipment November 1, 2026 Submit plan for response equipment, detection and alarm systems February 1, 2027 Submit plan for joint defense organization February 1, 2027 Complete installation of detection and alarm systems May 1, 2027 Implement approved hazard prevention and response plan From May 1, 2027 Appoint professional technical managers May 1, 2027 Obtain liability insurance Within 6 months of announcement Professional response personnel May 1, 2027 Obtain required permits, registration, or approval documents May 1, 2027 Other items not listed herein Comply per relevant regulations effective immediately |
The Ministry emphasized that Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) present significant risks due to their persistence, long-range environmental transport, and bioaccumulation. This amendment is aligned with the UN Stockholm Convention to strengthen POPs management. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback or recommendations within 30 days of the official announcement by submitting comments to the Ministry at yilin.yu@moenv.gov.tw.
