China’s legislative body is preparing to review a groundbreaking draft law specifically targeting hazardous chemicals safety, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s chemical risk management framework. The proposed legislation comes in response to persistent safety incidents occurring across various regions, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced regulatory measures.
Huang Haihua, spokesman for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, announced that the draft hazardous chemicals safety law will undergo deliberation during the upcoming NPC Standing Committee session scheduled from Monday to Saturday in Beijing. The official emphasized that chemical safety represents a critical concern directly impacting public safety, national security, and social stability.
The comprehensive legislation establishes a multifaceted approach to accident prevention, encompassing the entire lifecycle of hazardous chemicals from registration and production to storage, usage, operation, transportation, and final disposal. The draft mandates the creation of an integrated risk identification and management system while requiring improved safety infrastructure and equipment across the industry.
Notably, the proposed law emphasizes human factor considerations by requiring enhanced safety awareness training and technical skill development for employees working with hazardous materials. It further stipulates that county-level governments and relevant chemical departments must strengthen emergency response capabilities through regular drills and preparedness exercises.
In a significant technological advancement provision, the draft requires road transport companies handling hazardous chemicals to implement real-time monitoring systems for both vehicles and drivers. This measure aims to promptly identify and correct illegal or non-compliant driving behaviors, addressing transportation risks that have contributed to previous incidents.
The legislative initiative demonstrates China’s proactive approach to industrial safety management, potentially establishing new benchmarks for chemical regulation that could influence global safety standards in the hazardous materials sector.