by Weisin ChaiOn October 17, 2014, Indonesia published Law Number 33 Year 2014 Regarding Halal Product Assurance. Article 4 of the law requires imports, distribution or sells of all halal food, drink, drugs, cosmetics, chemical, biological or genetically engineered products and consumer products to obtain halal certification. Business operators for non-halal products are exempt from application for halal certification.The halal products may originate from animals, plants, microbes or products produced through chemical, biological or genetic engineering processes. They include raw materials, processed materials, additives, and auxiliary materials. Products derived from carcass, blood, pig and/or animals slaughtered not in accordance to sharia or Islamic law are non-halal.Business operators who apply for halal certification have the following obligations:* Provide correct, clear and truthful information;* Separate the location, place and equipment to prepare, process, store, package, distribute, sell and present halal product from non-halal products;* Assign a halal supervisor who is responsible for all activities related to halal product assurance;* Report changes of material composition to the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal, BPJPH).The following information shall be included in the application for halal certification:* Details of the business operator;* Product name and type of product;* Materials used in the product;* Manufacturing process(es) of the product.The application fee is based on the size and type of industries, currently ranging from Rp.2.000.000 (about USD 150) to Rp.4.500.000 (about USD 337), per product. Please refer to the website under References for more details.Business operators who have obtained the halal certification are obligated to:* Attach a halal label on the product(s) which have obtained halal certification;* Maintain the “halalness” of the product(s);* Separate the location, place and equipment to prepare, process, store, package, distribute, sell and present halal product(s) from non-halal product(s);* Renew the halal certificate before it expires;* Report changes of material composition to the BPJPH.BPJPH establishes the Halal Examination Agency (Lembaga Pemeriksa Halal, LPH) to deal with inspection or testing of halal products. LPH appoints a halal auditor to perform inspection or testing. Inspection or testing reports shall be submitted by the LPH to the BPJPH and later be submitted to the Indonesia Ulama Council (Majelis Ulama Indonesia, MUI) for a final decision. Once the application is approved, the BPJPH will release the halal certification to the applicant within 7 working days from the date of MUI’s approval. The halal certificate is valid for 4 years and shall be renewed 3 months before the expiration.For further details of the Law, readers may refer to the below websites.References:Indonesia Law No. 33 Year 2014 Regarding Halal Product Assurance: http://simbi.kemenag.go.id/halal/assets/collections/newsletter/files/55642ca917160.pdfIndonesia Halal Product Certificate Application Fee: https://jambi.kemenag.go.id/files/jambi/file/file/PRODUKHALAL/uihw1373589091.pdf

by John J. Kowalski, CHMMOn December 12, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule to implement the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act. Then, on January 26, 2017, EPA announced a delay of the effective date of the final rule from February 10, 2017 until March 21, 2017. See our previous blog article entitled “U.S. Federal Agencies Delay Final Rules,” which was posted on February 6, 2017, for additional information. On March 20, 2017, EPA further delayed the effective date of the final rule from March 21, 2017 until May 22, 2017.Reference:Environmental Protection Agency. “Further Delay of Effective Dates for Five Final Regulations Published by the Environmental Protection Agency Between December 12, 2016 and January 17, 2017.” Federal Register 82 (20 March 2017): 14324-14325. https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-03-20/pdf/2017-05462.pdf

by Steve Schulte, CHMM, CPP, DGSAOn January 18, 2017, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) HM-251D regarding the volatility of unrefined Petroleum products and Class 3 (flammable liquid) materials. See our previous blog, “U.S. PHMSA Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking HM-251D Hazardous Materials”, posted on January 27, 2017, for additional information.PHMSA, at stakeholders’ requests, extended the original comment deadline on the ANPRM from March 20, 2017 to May 19, 2017.References:Department of Transportation, PHMSA. "Hazardous Materials: Volatility of Unrefined Petroleum Products and Class 3 Materials." Federal Register (January 18, 2017 and March 21, 2017): https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-01-18/pdf/2017-00913.pdfhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/03/21/2017-05488/hazardous-materials-volatility-of-unrefined-petroleum-products-and-class-3-materials

by Yuqing ShiAchieving global compliance is hard. Between different implementations, updating regulations, and an excess of information, just getting started can be a complicated task. Navigator can help by summarizing these obligations around the world.On March 1st, 2017, we released a new version of Navigator that helps you find information faster and easier.We’ve made it easier to reach the information you’re looking for. You can now access countries through the side navigation bar, browse major topics with the “cards” in the middle of the page, or skip to the most recent changes using the ‘Latest Updates’ section.In addition to refreshing the design, we’ve updated and expanded the regulatory content. To hear more about our latest content expansion, consider joining us for one of our upcoming webinars: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM EDT Tuesday, March 28, 2017 10:00 PM - 10:30 PM EDT Wednesday, March 29, 2017 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM EDT

by Shanice Chia On March 6, 2017The Laos Government published the Law on Chemical Substances Management (in Lao version) in the Lao Official Gazette. This law will become fully effective 15 days after being published in the Gazette (i.e.,15 days after March 6, 2017). An official English translation of the Law is expected shortly. Please refer to the previous blog articles Laos Publishes Draft of Law on Chemicals and Laos Passes Law on Chemical Management for background information.ReferenceThe Lao PDR Trade Portal – Display Site. Ministry of Industry and Commerce, 06 Mar. 2017. Web. 14 Mar. 2017: http://www.laotradeportal.gov.la/index.php?r=site%2Fdisplay&id=1181

Hold onto your hats -  ChemADVISOR is 24 hours away from announcing the official launch of LOLI Data Analytics Version 1.0 mobile application.  On behalf of the development team, we would like to thank everyone who participated in Beta testing.  Your time and your thoughtful feedback are very much appreciated.  Version 1.0 directly incorporates many of your suggestions. You can see for yourself, the app is already live on both the Apple Store and Google Play. For more information about this application, visit our webpage or download the white paper. - Your LOLI Data Analytics Development Team

by John J. Kowalski, CHMMOn January 6, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) published a proposed rule concerning the Agency’s addition of natural gas processing (NGP) facilities to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).  See our previous blog article entitled “U.S. EPA Proposes to Add NGP Facilities to the TRI,” which was posted on January 24, 2017, for additional information.On March 8, 2017, the Agency extended the comment period from March 7, 2017 to May 6, 2017.  According to EPA, “This action is in response to stakeholders’ requests to extend the comment period.”  It means that stakeholders who choose to submit comments on the proposed rule have additional time to do so.Reference:Environmental Protection Agency.  “Addition of Natural Gas Processing Facilities to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI); Extension of Comment Period.”  Federal Register 82 (8 March 2017): 12924-12924.  https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-03-08/pdf/2017-04313.pdf

by Tammy J. MurphyIn Canada, pesticide products are regulated by the Pest Control Products Act and Pest Control Products Regulations. This includes substances in pest control products, as well as micro-organisms, chemicals, or polymers used in pest control products.Pest control products are required to be registered and evaluated prior to use and/or manufacture. Part of the registration/evaluation process is the payment of associated fees that vary in cost. There are also annual charges associated with pest control products. Some of these fees and charges are currently described in the Regulations Prescribing the Fees to be Paid for a Pest Control Product Application Examination Service Provided by or on behalf of Her Majesty in Right of Canada, for a Right or Privilege to Manufacture or Sell a Pest Control Product in Canada and for Establishing a Maximum Residue Limit in Relation to a Pest Control Product.In the 22 February 2017 edition of the Canada Gazette, Part II, the Pest Control Product Fees and Charges Regulations (SOR/2017-9) were published. These new Regulations, which were registered on 3 February 2017, "come into force on the day on which they are registered or on April 1, 2017, whichever is later," except Section 6 which deals with the annual adjustment of fees and becomes effective on April 1, 2018.The new Regulations not only prescribe the various fees associated with the registration of pest control products but they also detail the annual charges, timing of payments, requests for fee reductions, etc. In addition, the new Regulations repeal the current regulation prescribing fees to be paid.Additional information about pesticides and pest management can be found on Health Canada's Consumer Product Safety, Pesticides and Pest Management website.Reference:The full text of the Pest Control Product Fees and Charges Regulations can be found in the February 22, 2017 edition of the Canada Gazette, Part II: http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2017/2017-02-22/pdf/g2-15104.pdf

by Caroline Miller, CIH, CSPThe National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) invites the public to provide input on its personal protective equipment (PPE) database, PPE-Info Database. The draft database was originally launched in 2012 and contains regulations and standards for PPE. NIOSH intends to enhance the database and would like feedback, either electronic or written, by April 13, 2017.According to NIOSH, the database contains the following information:* “Identification of PPE standards, searchable by PPE type, hazard category, Standards Development Organization, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code, standard type, and standard status, with basic- and advanced-search functions;* A PPE-Selection Logic Tool for potential Ebola exposure;* Identification of 3rd party testing laboratories whose scope of accreditation includes testing to the identified standard.” A list of the questions that NIOSH is seeking responses on can be found in the Federal Register Notice.Reference:NIOSH Personal Protective Equipment Information (PPE-Info) Database, Federal Register Notice (February 27, 2017): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/02/27/2017-03737/personal-protective-equipment-information-ppe-info-databasePPE-Info Database: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/PPEinfo

 In less than 100 days, Phase 1 of the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System 2015 (WHMIS 2015) transition period will end and Phase 2 will commence. Manufacturers and/or importers will be most directly affected by this as beginning June 1, 2017, manufacturers and/or importers are requiredto comply with the requirements of the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) (SOR/2015-17), under the amended Hazardous Products Act (HPA).Distributors can continue to either comply with WHMIS 1988 (Controlled Products Regulations (CPR)) requirements or WHMIS 2015 (HPR) requirements until May 31, 2018. Employer requirements are typically handled at the provincial and/or territorial level and the respective local governmental agency will have the latest, most up-to-date information, including guidance for the transition phase, for employers.Additional information can be found on Health Canada's Environmental and Workplace Health, WHMIS website: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/occup-travail/whmis-simdut/index-eng.phpFor additional information on how ChemADVISOR can assist in preparing for this deadline, please contact us at [email protected].