Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170) - China (Ratification: 1995)

The Committee notes the Government’s first and second reports and the legislative and other information provided. The Committee notes that the Office has now received a substantial number of the legislative texts that were indicated in the Government’s reports as giving effect to the provisions of the Convention. It intends to examine them in detail at its next session when translations will be completed; in particular in respect of the application of the following provisions of the Convention: Articles 1 and 2 (scope of application); Article 7, paragraph 1 (labelling and marking); Article 8 (chemical safety sheets); Article 9, paragraphs 1(a), (b), 2 and 3, (responsibilities of suppliers); Article 10, paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 (responsibilities of employers); Article 11 (transfer of chemicals); Article 12 (exposure); Article 13, paragraphs 1(f) and 2(a) (operational control); Article 14 (disposal); Article 15 (information and training); Article 16 (cooperation); Article 18 (rights of workers and their representatives); and Article 19 (responsibility of exporting country). With a view to completing its examination, and based on the information given in the Government’s reports, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide further information on the following points.

Article 6, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee notes the information that current classification criteria do not take into account risks to the environment and chronic risks, but that the specific criteria was evolving and was under revision. It notes the information that in line with Recommendation No. 177, and upon the completion of the work of classification of chemicals by the United Nations and the International Labour Office, the Government will follow such classification criteria. Please provide information on any developments in this regard.

Article 6, paragraph 3. The Committee notes the information that several regulatory texts have been promulgated based on the provisions of the recommendation of the United Nations on the transport of chemicals. Please provide copies of the Rules of Transporting Chemicals on Railways, promulgated by the Ministry of Railways, the Rules of Administering and Supervising the Carriage of Chemicals on Vessels promulgated by the Ministry of Transport, labels on packages of chemical goods for transport and other standards promulgated by the State Bureau of Technical Supervision.

Article 6, paragraph 4. Please indicate whether and in what manner the classification systems have been extended.

Article 8, paragraph 1. Please provide a copy of the provisions on the preparation of safety technical manuals for hazardous chemicals that the Government indicated have served as guidelines in establishing safety data sheets.

Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s reports concerning the technical assistance provided by the ILO in the application of the Convention. It notes in particular the information that positive results were obtained during the first phase of the project such as: the creation of a coordinating committee for safety in the use of chemicals; the adoption of legislative standards on chemical safety and, subsequently, the initiating of a large number of training activities and systematic training of personnel involved in safety management; the development of relevant training material on chemical safety and chemical databases; the establishment in 1997 of the National Centre for Registration of Chemicals and the improvement of the system of registering of chemicals; and the establishment in 1998 of a system of emergency assistance and relief for chemical accidents. It also notes the information that there were plans to set up offices for the registration of chemicals in all parts of China and that training was to be organized for personnel involved in the registration of dangerous chemicals. Please continue to provide information on developments in this regard.

Please also provide a copy of the Administrative Method for Monitoring the Health of Workers in Chemical Industry adopted by the Ministry of Chemical Industry in 1984, as well as a copy of the Provisions concerning Registration of Pesticides adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture in 1982.