Draft law addressing safety of hazardous chemicals to be reviewed by lawmakers

Given that accidents involving hazardous chemicals still occur frequently in some areas, an official from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, said on Friday that a draft law is ready to strengthen measures addressing the issue.

Huang Haihua, spokesman for the NPC Standing Committee's Legislative Affairs Commission, told a news conference that the draft of the hazardous chemicals safety law is to be reviewed by lawmakers during a session of the NPC Standing Committee, which is scheduled to be held in Beijing from Monday to Saturday.

"The safety of hazardous chemicals is crucial as it pertains to the lives and property of the people, as well as national security and social stability, so the draft has included provisions for accident prevention from multiple perspectives," he said.

The draft law aims to enhance the safety supervision of hazardous chemicals in various areas, including registration, production, storage, use, operation, transportation, and disposal. It also stipulates the establishment of a comprehensive system for identifying and managing potential risks, calling for the installation of safety facilities and equipment to enhance the safety awareness and skill levels of employees in the industry, Huang said.

Additionally, the draft requires local governments at or above the county level, as well as hazardous chemical departments, to intensify emergency response capabilities, with emergency drills conducted to improve the ability of employees to handle emergencies effectively.

It also clarifies that road transport companies handling hazardous chemicals should conduct real-time monitoring and management of the operational status of their transport vehicles and drivers, requiring them to promptly correct any illegal or non-compliant driving behaviors, he said.