TNAG-0953-FCO40-1172-Legislation-for-dangerous-goods-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 17

For discussion

on 13th May 1980

Нь

15 AUG 1980

DICAST.

INDEX

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Никон

011

XCR(80)107 1 Copy No

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MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Dangerous Goods Ordinance

(Chapter 295)

DANGEROUS GOODS (ELASSIFICATION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1980

DANGEROUS GOODS (GENERAL) AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1980

13

Annexed for the consideration of Members are:-

(a)

A

the Dangerous Goods (Classification) (Amendment) Regulations, 1980 (Annex A); and

J13.5

B

2

(b)

the Dangerous Goods (General) (Amendment) Regulations 1980 (Annex B),

These drafts seek to classify Manganese Ethylenebis dithio carbonate preparations at concentrations of 60% or more (known as Maneb) as Dangerous Goods, and to make provision for the storage, packaging and conveyance of this substance.

Background

3

Maneb is imported into Hong Kong for use as a fungicide in treating vegetables, fruit and plants. It is presently listed as a Part I Agricultural Pesticide under the Agricultural Pesticides Ordinance (Chapter 133), which means in effect that the substance is of low toxicity and may therefore be sold by licensed retailers without restrictions.

Proposal

4

The Government Chemist has advised that Maneb decomposes in water (including moist air) to produce hydrogen sulphide and carbon disulphide, both of which are hazardous. As a result, the Dangerous Goods Standing Committee has recommended that Maneb be classified as Category 6 Dangerous Goods, i. e. a substance which becomes dangerous by interaction with water. The purpose of the Dangerous Goods (Classification) (Amend- ment) Regulations 1980, at Annex A, is to give effect to this recommendation.

G.S. 84

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