This Plan was implemented over the period from March 31, 2014 to December 31, 2014. The main objectives of the Plan were to collect the latest information on the management of chemical substances and environmental hormones in other countries, for use as a reference when implementing management within Taiwan. In addition, a domestic use survey has been conducted targeting the usage of key materials in Taiwan, so as to provide a basis for formulating proposals for the revision of current laws and regulations and for promoting management of environmental hormones based on an inter-departmental division of labor. The main work results achieved through implementation of the Plan include the following: (1) Assisting with the preparations for the adding of four new substances – hexabromocyclododecane, alpha-hexabromocyclododecane, beta-hexabromocyclododecane, and gamma-hexabromocyclododecane, all of which have become a major focus of international attention – to the official list of controlled substances in Taiwan, and formulation of Internal Control Procedures in Relation to Screening Operation Principles, to serve as a reference for internal controls with respect to existing screening principles. (2) In response to the revision of the Toxic Chemical Substances Control Act, assistance was provided for the notification of the Regulations Governing Approvals Management for Category Four Toxic Chemical Substances, and for the drawing up of management recommendations with respect to 20 types of Category Four Toxic Chemical Substances. (3) The formulation was undertaken of recommendations regarding adjustment of permitted concentration levels with respect to 15 types of toxic chemical substances, including mercury, and evaluation of the appropriateness of utilizing certain types of toxic chemical substance the scope of usage of which falls within the purview of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. (4) A domestic use survey has been conducted targeting 7 types of chemical substances, including styrene, etc., and recommendations formulated regarding the adding of these substances to the official list of controlled substances. (5) Assistance has been provided for the convening of meetings of the environmental hormone inter-ministerial management promotion team, and sampling has been completed of 100 samples of cleaning agents, correction fluids, paints, etc. that are currently sold in Taiwan. All of the sampled products were found to conform to the relevant provisions of the Toxic Chemical Substances Control Act. (6) Assistance has been provided for preliminary hearings and appeals in relation to applications for the lifting of restrictions or prohibitions on usage, and a total of 142 instances of extraordinary processing were implemented on behalf of the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA).

Toxic Chemical Substances;Environmental Hormone;Domestic Use Survey