XN000022-1992-05-15 — Page 10

FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1992

THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE CHANGE WAS PART OF A CONTINUING EFFORT OF THE GOVERNMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHERS IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PREVENT THE PROLIFERATION OF CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

"THE CONTROL IS BASICALLY A PREVENTIVE MEASURE. THERE INDICATION THAT THE TRADE THROUGH HONG KONG HAS CONTRIBUTED PROBLEM OF PROLIFERATION, HE SAID.

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THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IS NOTIFYING THE TRADE OF DETAILS OF THE ARRANGEMENT BY CIRCULAR LETTER.

ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE WITH THE STRATEGIC COMMODITIES SECTION OF TRADE LICENSING (NON-TEXTILES} BRANCH, TRADE DEPARTMENT, TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, FIFTH FLOOR, 700 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON (TELEPHONE NUMBER: 398 5571).

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CHEMICAL WASTE PRODUCERS REQUIRED TO REGISTER

ALL PRODUCERS OF CHEMICAL WASTE ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) FROM MAY 18 WITHIN A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL (CHEMICAL WASTE) (GENERAL) REGULATION WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT RECENTLY.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, EPD'S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR MR JOHN BOXALL SAID THE REGULATION, DESIGNED To PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT FROM THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE, HAS BEEN BROUGHT INTO EFFECT ON MAY 1 THIS YEAR.

THE REGULATION PROVIDES FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF WASTE, THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS PRODUCING CHEMICAL WASTE, CONTROL OF THE PRODUCTION, POSSESSION, STORAGE, COLLECTION, AND DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE.

CHEMICAL AND THE TRANSPORT

CHEMICAL WASTE IS EITHER TOXIC OR HAZARDOUS IN NATURE AND EXAMPLES ARE SPENT ACIDS, ALKALIS, SOLVENTS, TOXIC METALS AND ASBESTOS WASTE.

IMPROPER DISPOSAL MAY ENDANGER THE SAFETY OF WORKERS AND POSE HEALTH RISKS TO THE PUBLIC.

ITS UNCONTROLLED DISCHARGE MAY ATTACK THE FABRIC OF THE SEWERS AND ADVERSELY AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BIOLOGICAL SEWAGE TREATMENT PROCESSES AND GENERATE TOXIC SLUDGES WHICH ARE BOTH DIFFICULT AND COSTLY TO DISPOSE OF.

MR BOXALL SAID FROM MAY 18, ALL PRODUCERS OF CHEMICAL WASTE WILL HAVE TO REGISTER WITH EPD.

/ANY PERSON

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