〈全球環保時事〉彙整頁面 - Page 25 of 37

Japan plans to add five hazardous substances to its Toxic and Hazardous Substances Control Law.

On April 12, 2013, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) submitted a notification to the World Trade Organization (WTO) proposing to add five toxic and hazardous substances to the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law. These substances, or products containing them, would be classified as toxic or hazardous. The notification is currently in a 60-day public comment period and is expected to be adopted on July 1, 2013, and take effect on July 15, 2013. The five toxic and hazardous substances are as follows: Substance Name | Toxicity Classification

2013-09-12

China will need $243 billion annually for low-carbon investment by 2020.

A report commissioned by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and authored by The Climate Group and the Central University of Finance and Economics states that China will need to raise up to $243 billion annually for clean energy development by 2020. The report will be submitted to the Chinese government this month. China invested $67.7 billion in renewable energy last year (2012), a 20% increase from 2011, accounting for a quarter of global investment in clean energy despite an overall decline in 2012. The report indicates that to help achieve its carbon reduction and low-carbon energy targets, China will need to spend 3.5 times more by 2020 than last year. China plans to meet 15% of its domestic energy demand with low-carbon energy by 2020, reduce carbon concentration by 17% from 2011 to 2015, and reach 40-45% of 2005 carbon concentration by 2020. The report states that achieving these targets requires an investment of up to $333 billion in 2015 and $413 billion by 2020. Current public and private funding is insufficient to complete the investment, with a financing gap of approximately 2% of the 2015 GDP forecast, or as high as $214 billion annually. This gap is projected to reach $243 billion annually by 2020. The report also notes that "although the funding gap is large, 2% of GDP is relatively small… Chinese leaders have ways to bridge the gap." Source:

2013-09-12

The US EPA's 2013 work plan included an assessment of flame retardants.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed flame retardants as a key focus of its 2013 chemical risk assessments. The EPA announced the following seven substances that will undergo comprehensive evaluation: 1. 1,2-ethylhexyl ester 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (TBB) 4,5-tetrabromobenzoic acid; 1,2-ethylhexyl 3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-benzenedicarboxylate, or (2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH) tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide; 1. tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP)

2013-09-12

Continents are rapidly taking on a key role in mitigating climate change.

A new research report indicates that mainland China, on par with the United States, is rapidly taking on a leading role in addressing global climate change, but the report also warns that global greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase significantly. The report, titled "The Critical Decade: International Action on Climate Change," reviewed actions taken over the past nine months and was compiled by the Climate Commission, an independent body based in Australia. Tim Flannery, a co-author of the report and a key member of the Climate Commission, said that mainland China has halved its electricity demand growth rate, significantly increased renewable energy capacity, and reduced emissions growth at a faster rate than expected. Whatever the reasons, these achievements carry weight. Mainland China has rapidly risen to a prominent position among the leaders in climate change. The report points out that mainland China invested $65.1 billion in clean energy in 2012, a 20% increase from 2011. This is the highest among G20 countries, accounting for 30% of total investment last year. The United States ranked second, investing $35.6 billion in renewable energy. Flannery points out that within a year, global renewable energy has surged, with solar power capacity increasing by 42% and wind power by 21%. In contrast to the surge in global investment in renewable energy, the report shows that global carbon emissions continue to rise strongly, impacting...

2013-09-12

United Nations: Major global manufacturing and processing industries cause $7.3 trillion in environmental damage annually.

A new report, commissioned by the UN Environment Programme's International Project on Ecosystem and Biodiversity Research (TEEB) and compiled by the renowned British environmental consultancy TruCost, reveals that major production and processing industries, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, mining, and oil and gas exploration, cause environmental, health, and other critical losses to human well-being amounting to as much as $7.3 trillion annually. This necessitates stricter international measures to ensure ecological sustainability. The report, titled "Natural Capital at Risk – The Top 100 Externalities of Business," indicates that global businesses incur approximately $4.7 trillion in environmental losses annually, equivalent to 65% of the total environmental costs resulting from environmental shocks in major industries. The majority of these losses stem from greenhouse gas emissions, water and land use, accounting for 38%, 25%, and 24% of the total, respectively. Air pollution, water and soil pollution, and waste disposal account for 7%, 5%, and 1%, respectively. The report states that the most environmentally damaging industry is currently coal-fired power generation, particularly in Asia and the Americas, where losses due to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and increased healthcare spending amount to [amount missing].

2013-09-12

South Korea will adopt newly revised adhesive standards in April.

According to a notification submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards in February of this year, South Korea plans to adopt revised adhesive safety standards in April. Following a 60-day consultation period, the proposed effective date for the standards is December 2013 or later. The revisions will include two main changes. The use of PHMG (polyhexamethylene guanidine) and PGH (oligo(2-(2-ethoxy)ethoxyethyl guanidinium chloride) will be restricted to household chemicals. Furthermore, regulations regarding ingredient composition and hazard labeling will be incorporated into the newly revised standards, which will include stricter regulations on "toxicity" labeling. The standards require manufacturers or importers of household chemical products containing adhesives to obtain product safety certification, with each product model requiring a product safety certificate issued by a testing laboratory designated by the agency. Manufacturers or importers must also declare to a safety product certification body before the product is marketed or cleared through customs to obtain market access. Last year, South Korea notified the WTO of legislation restricting the use of the same substances in air fresheners, deodorants, and other household chemical products. Source: Chemical Watch (2013-03-07) (PIDC&

2013-09-12

American department stores establish plastic packaging recycling mechanisms

Simon Mall, a US department store chain, pioneered the "Plastic Room," a plastic recycling center equipped with a plastic baling machine, to collect the large quantities of single-use plastic packaging materials generated by its retailers. A Simon Mall spokesperson explained that merchandise sold in the store is typically protected with PE plastic bags or shrink wrap and cardboard boxes. Removing these bags or wraps before displaying the goods generates a significant amount of plastic waste. Since these single-use plastic packaging materials are usually clean, proper recycling processes are simpler than sorting plastic waste from municipal waste, resulting in a much smaller environmental impact. Therefore, Simon Mall's three department stores were the first to introduce plastic baling machines and set up recycling rooms to centrally collect these clean single-use plastic packaging materials. Retailers bring their discarded plastic packaging materials to the "Plastic Room," where the baling machine compresses them into space-saving plastic cubes. To minimize its negative environmental impact, Simon Mall proactively recycles waste plastic packaging generated by retailers within the mall and has also sought assistance from the American Chemistry Council to find suitable recycling providers.

2013-09-12

With the rise of green businesses, the UK aims to enhance its green export opportunities.

The proportion of small green businesses in the UK seeking to export low-carbon products and services has tripled in the past two years, demonstrating that the rapid expansion of emerging small green businesses in the UK is playing a major role in the export-driven recovery. A survey conducted by the Carbon Trust shows that three-quarters of UK SMEs plan to expand into new markets in the next two years, with the US, Germany, mainland China, India, the Middle East, and Australia considered attractive export markets. The survey also indicates that green businesses continue to expand despite the challenging economic environment. More than half of the green businesses reported creating new jobs in the past year, and two-thirds believe they plan to create even more jobs in the coming year. Source: Green Trade Information Network (May 14, 2013)

2013-09-12

The EU has announced a ban on toys containing hazardous substances.

The European Commission (EC) announced that children's toys must comply with a new European ban effective immediately, prohibiting the use of dozens of chemicals that scientists say may cause cancer, impair fertility, or trigger allergies. The EC emphasized today (July 19, 2013): "From now on, toys cannot be manufactured using substances that can cause cancer, gene mutations, or affect fertility, nor can they use the 55 fragrances listed as allergens." The EC also mandates that manufacturers add warnings to the labels of 11 substances, indicating that they "may be allergens," and strengthens restrictions on 19 so-called "heavy metals," such as lead and barium. EC Industry Commissioner Antonio Tajani stressed that if new scientific assessments emerge, the Commission will immediately introduce new regulations. For the full text of the toy directive, please refer to the attachment: EU Toy Directive - English Version. Source: Environmental Information Centre (2013-07-22) Attachment file: EU Toy Directive - English Version.pdf

2013-09-12

In response to Japan's Chemical Substance Approval Law, the second phase of the obligation to notify small quantities of new chemical substances is about to begin.

According to the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL) announced by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), manufacturers and importers in Japan are required to submit annual notifications of new chemical substances starting April 1, 2011. Failure to submit notifications may result in the inability to manufacture or import chemicals smoothly. In December of last year (2012), METI announced the production/import volume and notification period for new chemical substances subject to notification obligations for this year (2013). Small-volume new chemical substances refer to annual production/import volumes of less than or equal to 1 ton. Therefore, the notification period for small-volume new chemical substances this year is as follows: Stage | New Chemical Substance Production/Import Period

2013-09-12

Asia-Pacific "Material Flow" Survey: Rapid Resource Consumption May Not Be Able to Support Economic Growth

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently released a comprehensive report on material flows and resource productivity trends in the Asia-Pacific region, warning that the current rate of resource consumption in the region may not be able to support its rapid economic growth and lifestyle changes. The report emphasizes that the region's "material intensity"—the amount of material consumed per dollar of GDP—is three times that of the rest of the world, requiring serious attention. The report points out that from 1970 to 2008, the Asia-Pacific region saw a 13.4-fold increase in consumption of minerals for construction, an 8.6-fold increase in metallic ores and industrial minerals, a 5.4-fold increase in fossil fuels, and a 2.7-fold increase in bioenergy. Data shows that at this rate of consumption, the region will become increasingly reliant on imports for its material needs and will be unable to sustain its economic growth and lifestyle changes. The current rate of consumption also has negative environmental impacts. Although the UNEP report did not include Taiwan, Taiwan has also established a material flow database construction project under the National Science Council. Analysis from 2011 shows that Taiwan extracted and imported nearly 400 million tons of materials. Of the materials produced, 280 million tons were emitted as air pollutants, while 42 million tons were exported. Professor Li Yuming, who participated in the research, pointed out that "material flow analysis" is a systematic method used to analyze the use of materials within a specific area and to examine the flow of materials from extraction, use to disposal. The National Science Council's material flow database has been updated to 2011, and the 2012 research results are expected to be released by the end of 2013.

2013-09-12

South Korea’s K-REACH is about to be implemented

In late April 2013, the South Korean National Assembly passed the Draft Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals. All regulated hazardous substances were required to undergo registration and evaluation starting January 1, 2015. Because this draft acted on the principles of the EU REACH regulation and shared many similarities, it was referred to by the industry as Korean REACH (K-REACH). Similar to the EU REACH regulation, the release of Korean REACH also took considerable time. Like the EU REACH regulation, K-REACH is a regulation governing substances, and its content broadly covers registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction. Similar to the EU, the registration of hazardous substances requires a sole representative (OR) within South Korea. Currently, K-REACH mandates that manufacturers and importers of chemical substances provide risk assessment reports to the South Korean Ministry of Environment, while users are not subject to this obligation. Information on the safe use of substances is also required to be transmitted downstream from the supply chain, including manufacturers and importers. Manufacturers also have an obligation to communicate risk information throughout the supply chain. They must notify manufacturers if a product contains more than 1 ton/year of hazardous substances at a concentration exceeding 0.1% in the finished product. This also applies to products containing hazardous substances that will not be released during use.

2013-09-12

Makati City in the Philippines will implement the strictest plastic bag ban starting in June.

Makati, a city in Metro Manila, Philippines, is the 16th most populous city in the country and its financial center. This city, comparable to Taipei's Xinyi District, will implement Southeast Asia's strictest plastic bag ban starting in June, prohibiting plastic bags, polystyrene, and other non-biodegradable single-use materials. The Solid Waste Management Ordinance, passed in 2003, originally scheduled to begin on January 1, 2013, but was extended to June 1, 2013, at the end of last year. Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay pointed out that the city has approximately 17,500 food retailers and restaurants, giving them over nine years to prepare for the ban. According to the ordinance, violators can be fined, imprisoned, or both, with serious offenses potentially resulting in the revocation of their business licenses. Manufacturers must submit a list of their inventory of plastic bags, polystyrene, and other non-biodegradable single-use materials between June 3rd and 7th, 2013, to avoid penalties. Source: Cleanbiz Asia (May 28, 2013) (Compiled by PIDC)

2013-09-12

More than 5,000 children's products in Washington state contain substances of high concern.

An analysis of reports submitted by children's product manufacturers in Washington, D.C., between June 1, 2012, and March 1, 2013, revealed that over 5,000 children's products contained at least one chemical of high concern to the state government. Under Washington's Children’s Safe Products Act, manufacturers of children's products are required to submit safety reports for substances of high concern in their products. This reporting mechanism began in 2012, with the next deadline for submissions being August 2013. The analysis listed 41 substances of high concern found in children's products, including cadmium, mercury, cobalt, phthalates, formaldehyde, arsenic, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, decabromodiphenyl ether (decabromodiphenyl ether), and D4 (octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane). The report indicated that the categories of children's products containing these substances of high concern included toys, baby products, car seats, children's cosmetics, and clothing, with clothing having the highest number of products, followed by footwear, toys, jewelry, accessories, and baby products. The authors of this analysis, the non-profit organizations Washington Toxics Coalition and Safer States, strongly recommend that other state governments establish mechanisms for reporting substances of high concern in products and, through the collection and analysis of these reports, strengthen legislation to control hazardous substances to ensure children's health and safety. Source: &

2013-09-12

Minnesota, USA, bans formaldehyde in children's care products.

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has signed legislation banning formaldehyde from childcare products, making Minnesota the first state in the U.S. to enact such legislation. Under this law, starting August 1, 2015, all marketed childcare products intended for children under eight years old, such as lotions and shampoos, must not contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing substances. The governor also signed a bill banning the addition of bisphenol A (BPA) to infant formula and infant food containers. Manufacturers were prohibited from selling such products with intentionally added BPA starting August 1, 2014. This ban took effect on retailers of these products starting August 1, 2015. Both bills specifically stipulate that chemicals used to replace BPA, formaldehyde, or formaldehyde-releasing substances in products must not be known carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, genetically harmful substances, or substances with developmental, immune, nervous, or reproductive system toxicities. Source: Chemical Watch (May 23, 2013) (Compiled by PIDC)

2013-09-12

世衛研究：PM2.5導致不良生育結果甚至壽命減短

世界衛生組織（WHO）發佈報告指出，長時間暴露於空氣中的細懸浮微粒，會引發不良生育結果、兒童呼吸道疾病、動脈硬化等問題。細懸浮微粒又稱PM2.5，也就是粒徑小於2.5微米的粒子。WHO這份報告指出，PM2.5也和神經系統發育、認知能力發展、糖尿病有關，並更加肯定細懸浮微粒與心血管及呼吸系統疾病致死的因果關係。懸浮微粒是由懸浮在空氣中的固態和液態粒子所組成，當中包含硫酸鹽、硝酸鹽、氨以及其他物質。人為的懸浮微粒主要來源是家用暖氣產生的廢氣、工業活動、和路上行駛的交通工具。 WHO指出，以WHO於2005年訂定的《空氣品質準則》（Air Quality Guidelines）為基準，超過80%的歐洲人暴露在超量的懸浮微粒中，而這樣的情況平均使每人減少8.6個月的壽命。 WHO建議於2015年以前修訂懸浮微粒《準則》，訂定更嚴格的二氧化氮（NO2）暴露值，並研擬出臭氧長期平均濃度標準。這份報告名為《回顧空氣污染對健康方面的證據》，是WHO在歐盟執委會要求下，以2013年歐盟空氣相關政策為框架所執行的。歐盟環境執委Janez Potočnik指出，「歐盟的空氣政策必須要以最新的科學研究

2013-03-11

金光集團APP承諾停止毀林綠色和平熱帶雨林保護工作取得突破性進展

全球最大的漿紙生產商之一金光集團APP於2月4日發布了一份森林保護新政策，承諾即刻停止其在全球供應鏈中所有涉及天然林的作業，並且接受非政府組織的監測評估。綠色和平對於金光集團APP停止毀林的承諾表示積極肯定。這對保護全球僅存不多的熱帶雨林具有重大意義。綠色和平東亞辦公室森林保護主任楊婕說：「我們對APP公佈此承諾表示歡迎，也會密切關注該承諾的具體實施情況。如果APP能夠用實際行動履行承諾，那麼對於多年來遭受破壞的印尼雨林將是一個巨大的轉機。」根據這項新政策，APP明確承諾保護中國的天然林，確保其漿紙林營運操作不再涉及轉換成任何的天然林。對於在海南等地已經造成的轉換問題，APP中國也承諾近期將與利害相關人進行商討和製定解決方案。楊婕指出，這些政策一旦真正實施，將對於保護中國的天然林具有積極的影響。綠色和平希望APP中國能針對恢復海南中部山區的植被和生態系統制定有效的解決方案以及時間表，以證明其保護全球熱帶雨林的決心。 APP“森林保護新政策”的製定為多年來印尼以及國際環保機構的呼籲和壓力所致。綠色和平針對改變漿紙行業毀林行為開展的全球森林保護計劃通過實地調查，揭露了APP在全球的毀

2013-03-11

綠色和平發布《氣候臨界點》研究報告

國際環保組織綠色和平近日發布的《氣候臨界點—化石能源發展對控制全球升溫2℃目標的可能性影響》研究（以下簡稱《研究》）指出：中國、澳洲、美國、印尼、巴西等國家的14個新建的大型煤炭、石油和天然氣開採案如果得以開發實施，將導致2020年全球化石能源的二氧化碳排放量較2011年增加20%，確定全球排放曲線快速上升的趨勢，使全球升溫控制在2度內的目標變得渺茫，乃至進入災難性的5~6 ℃升溫軌道。綠色和平呼籲：人類能否擺\脫對化石能源的依賴，決定全球應對氣候變化挑戰的成敗。各國政府和企業應該立即採取行動，停止化石能源擴張的腳步，積極推動可持續低碳之“能源革命”，使用可再生能源及提高能效等方式來滿足新增能源需求，避免全球氣候變化跨過不可挽回的臨界點。 “這14個化石能源開發案的規劃是全球經濟對化石能源依賴成癮的體現。” 綠色和平國際總幹事庫米•奈都指出：“這些計畫一旦開採完成，將成為迄今為止最大的溫室氣體排放源，進一步將溫室氣體排放推上新的高峰。如果不立即採取行動加以阻止，跨過臨界點之後，對人類社會將造成致命的的影響。” 由綠色和平與智庫Ecofys合作完成的這份《研究》中，

2013-03-11

2013版OEKO-TEX® standard 100更新發布

與往年一樣OEKO-TEX®在其年會上發布了最新OEKO-TEX®Standard 100紡織品有害物質檢驗的測試標準和限量值要求，新標準於2013年1月1日起生效；2013年4月1日開始正式實施。與2012年版本相比，主要有以下新增變化： 1. 未來將對候選認證紡織品中新增8 項多環芳烴(PAHs) 含量檢測，合計24項。規定產品類別一（嬰幼兒產品）中將現有benzo(a)pyrene及PHAs總和由原先的1.0mg/kg及10mg/kg分別降低至0.5mg/kg、5mg/kg。 2. 考慮到REACH法規高度關注物質清單（SVHC）的更新情況，將二甲基甲酰胺（DMF）列入受監管溶劑清單，限量值為0.1 %。 3. 將對候選樣品中的鄰苯二甲酸鹽要求增加鄰苯二甲酸二戊酯（DPP），從11項增至12項，12項總和限值保持之前的0.1%的要求。 4. 考慮到REACH法規附件XVII限制物質清單的最新修訂情況，將富馬酸二甲酯(DMFu) 作為添加物質將被列入OEKO-TEX® 受監管殘留化學物質清單，並對相關成

2013-03-11

會「呼吸」的屋頂 – 感受芝加哥屋頂綠化

在芝加哥市中心，有一塊面積達1900平方米，鬱鬱蔥蔥的綠色花園。在這塊綠洲裡，自由生長著150多種、兩萬多株花草，小蝴蝶、小蜜蜂、小鳥在須芒草、三葉草、仙人掌叢中飛來飛去。花園內還有一個養蜜蜂的蜂房，花園的管理者每年都義賣產出的蜂蜜，募集到的資金用於青少年課外活動項目。這片綠地並不在地面的公園裡，而在芝加哥市政廳的屋頂上，它是芝加哥的第一座綠色屋頂。近年來，隨著城市規模的高速擴張，熱浪席捲著許\多城市。「綠色屋頂」能夠減少屋頂熱輻射、緩解熱島效應，芝加哥市政廳頂樓的溫度要比傳統的柏油屋頂溫度低很多。此外，城市的綠色屋頂就像一個蓄水池，能截流和儲存大量雨水，並蓄水48小時以上，降低雨水流速，一定程度地緩解城市內澇。芝加哥環境保護局局長說，增添環保元素會讓建築成本更昂貴，但從長遠效應來看是有經濟效益的。由於大規模推行屋頂綠化，有效降低了能源消耗。此外，屋頂花園還為昆蟲提供了良好的生存環境，為鳥類提供了食物來源，為市民提供了避暑納涼的休閒空間，使人與自然和諧相處。資料來源：環境資訊中心 (2012-11-22)

2013-03-11