Malaysia updates the registration process for environmentally hazardous substances

Malaysia launched the newly redesigned MyEHS Environmentally Hazardous Substance (EHS) registration system was introduced on September 5, 2023. The website has been redesigned, and organisations can now register, log in, and complete the required steps. As part of the new MyEHS, companies will be asked to provide information on the production and import of chemicals that are subject to certain frameworks, mostly international treaties.

Objective of the MyEHS system

The objective of the MyEHS system is to ensure that manufacturers and importers notify the authorities about the production and import of EHS, and provide the information required for the safe and sound management of EHSs to protect the environment and public health.

Malaysian EHS Reference List

The Malaysian EHS Reference List will be established by the Department of Environment (DOE) based on data provided by industry. The list will include the names of the substance reported to DOE, their uses in Malaysia, their hazard classification, and the total amount of these chemicals sold in Malaysia. The public will have access to the data stored in this system.

The EHS Reference List contains the following list of chemical compounds that are covered by MyEHS:

• Substances included in the Rotterdam Convention's Annex III
• Chemicals regulated by the Minamata Convention on Mercury
• Chemicals listed in Annexes I and V of the EU PIC Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 649/2012) 
• Chemicals included in Annexes A, B, and C of the Stockholm Convention
• Additional substances designated by the DOE Director General as substances  of concern (such as chemicals included in the Customs (Prohibition of Import) Order 2023 and the Customs (Prohibition of Export) Order 2023)

Moreover, substances covered under the following Acts are excluded from MyEHS because the relevant authorities have previously received the information separately:

• Pesticides Act (1974)
• Poisons Act (1952)
• The Atomic Energy Licensing Act (1984)
• The Chemical Weapons Convention Act (2005)