Singapore Reach Regulation for Various Sectors

Regulatory Authorities in the Chemical Regulation of Singapore are National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Ministry of Manpower. NEA is the authority to regulate some environmentally harmful substances. The Ministry of Manpower requires employers to communicate chemical hazard information to workers and reduce chemical exposure.

Under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA), unauthorized persons are prevented from handling hazardous substances, and necessary measures are always taken during the handling of such substances to prevent and reduce unintentional releases.

1. Hazardous Substances License

A license is mandatory for anyone who desires to import, sell, or export any hazardous substances controlled under the EPMA.

2. Hazardous Substances Permit

A permit is mandatory for anyone who desires to purchase, store or use any hazardous substances controlled under the Environmental Protection and Management (Hazardous Substances) Regulation.

3. Transport Approval

A Transport Approval is required for anyone who desires to transport hazardous substances in quantities greater than those stipulated in the Environmental Protection and Management (Hazardous Substances) Regulation. The limitations range from zero kilograms to 1000 kg for extremely dangerous substances like pesticides containing organochlorines for corrosives like Sulphuric acid.

4. Import Approval

The most effective step of control to ensure that all chemicals entering Singapore can and will be securely controlled and managed is at the import stage. All Hazardous Substances mentioned in the Second Schedule of the Act must be certified by Chemical Control and Management Department (CCMD) under the EPMA.

Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) proposed a list of 26 chemicals as hazardous substances under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA) and the Environmental Protection and Management (Hazardous Substances) (EPM(HS)) Regulations. Previously, these 26 substances have been regulated by Singapore Customs under the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act (CWPA) and Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Regulations (CWPR). However, the NEA intends to strengthen the regulatory controls over the import, export, manufacture, offer for sale, transport, purchase, storage and/or use of these chemicals to ensure that they are managed in an environmentally sound manner.

The NEA intends to announce the regulatory changes formally by December 2022 and the changes are expected to be implemented 6 months later by June 2023.

Compliance requirements

Stakeholders must possess a valid hazardous substance license or permit to perform the specified activities involving the chemicals proposed to be controlled by June 2023. The licenses and permits will be available from 1 January 2023. Companies that wish to import/export, store, use, and/or supply any hazardous substance controlled under the EPMA must apply for a Hazardous Substance License. Any person that wishes to purchase, store, and/or use any hazardous substance controlled under the EPMA must apply for a Hazardous Substance Permit.