Thailand Chemical Inventory Information

Thailand's Hazardous Substances Inventory, managed by the Department of Industrial Works (DIW) under the Hazardous Substance Act B.E. 2535 (1992) and its subsequent amendments, serves as a comprehensive framework for the management of industrial and consumer chemicals. The inventory is an important tool for ensuring regulatory oversight, public safety, and environmental protection. 

On July 9, 2020, Thailand’s Department of Industrial Works (DIW) published the “Notification of the Department of Industrial Works: Existing Chemical Inventory in Thailand No.1 B.E. 2563 (2020)”. The Thailand Existing Chemical Inventory (TECI) is the first existing chemical inventory compiled based on the B.E.2535(1992). TECI includes a total of 11,474 substances (as of July 2020) from 1995 to 2017. Substances are categorized as Type 1-4 hazardous substances as follows: 

• Type 1: Low degree of hazard (notification of production and import required for quantities exceeding one tonne a year). 

• Type 2: Monitoring and control (registration required). 

• Type 3:  Higher degree of hazard (registration and licence required). 

• Type 4: Very high risk to humans (production, import, export, or possession prohibited). 

All chemicals, regardless of their introduction date, must comply with the Hazardous Substance Act. There is no formal grandfathering policy, meaning that both existing and new chemicals are subject to regulatory requirements. 

• Listed Substances: Chemicals included in the inventory must adhere to specific regulatory measures, including classification, GHS-based labelling, and the preparation of Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Manufacturers, importers, and users of these substances must obtain the necessary permits or licences based on their hazard classification to ensure safe handling, use, and disposal. 

• Non-Listed Substances: Chemicals that are not listed in the Inventory are treated as new substances. These require notification, assessment, and approval from the DIW before they can be manufactured, imported, or used in the country. This process ensures that all new chemicals placed on the market meet safety and environmental standards. 

Confidentiality claims are permitted for trade secrets or formulations. These claims are evaluated by the DIW to ensure a balance between protecting business interests and maintaining public safety and transparency. 

The most recent update to the inventory was made through the Notification of the Ministry of Industry on the List of Hazardous Substances (No. 7) B.E. 2565 (2022). This update reflects Thailand's ongoing efforts to align its regulatory framework with international chemical safety standards and to strengthen its measures for the effective management of hazardous substances. 

Thailand’s Hazardous Substances Inventory is a cornerstone of its chemical management strategy to ensure that hazardous chemicals are properly monitored, classified, and regulated to protect human health and the environment. 

The establishment and updating of chemical inventories are critical components of global chemical management strategies. They enable countries to monitor chemical substances under their jurisdictions, ensure compliance with regulations, and protect public health and the environment. Recent initiatives by various countries to develop or enhance their chemical inventories reflect a growing commitment to chemical safety and international regulatory alignment.