Environmental protection and management (hazardous substances) regulations

Any person who wishes to purchase, store and /or use of hazardous substances controlled under the Environmental Protection And Management Act..

FAQ

1. Who needs to apply for this Permit?
   Any person who wishes to purchase, store and/or use any hazardous substance controlled under the Environmental Protection and Management Act. Any existing HS Permit holder who wishes to renew, include/amend HS from the existing HS Permit.
2. What are the conditions that I need to fulfil to be a Hazardous Substances (HS) Permit Holder?
   A HS Permit may be issued if:
   i. the applicant can show proof that the hazardous substances will be stored safely in an approved location and in compliance with all regulatory requirements;
   ii. the storage and use of the hazardous substances at his factory have been approved by NEA and other relevant agencies;
   iii. the applicant has declared that he has read and understood the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA) and its Regulations.
3. What are the information required to fill in the application?
   You will need the following information to fill in the application:
   i. The company's Business Reg No. / UEN information
   ii. Particulars of applicant such as designation, academic qualification and email address
   iii. Employment pass, if the applicant is a foreigner
   iv. Clearance on use of industrial premises from Development Control Department (NEA)
   v. Types and maximum quantities of hazardous substances to be used/ stored
   vi. Details of storage area/ facilities
   vii. Consent from the third-party owner of PCD approved chemical warehouse, if you intend to store hazardous substances at their premises OR Consent from supplier if the HS is to be taken back at the end of each day for safekeeping
   viii. Details of emergency action plan to mitigate a spill/ release of hazardous substances etc.

   Applicants are reminded to ensure all documents are in place before licence application and to promptly furnish any other supporting document to NEA upon NEA's request during the course of the application process. If your submitted application is still pending clarifications or submission of documents after our review, please respond/submit to NEA your clarifications/documents as soon as possible, to not delay the application process. Your application may be deemed as unsuccessful if any outstanding documents and/or clarifications are not submitted within 3 months from the date of your application.

   Before submission of import/export permit application to TradeNet for auto-processing, the Declarant needs to verify whether the items under CCMD-controlled HS Codes contains any ingredients which are listed in Part I of the Second Schedule of the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA). If so, the importer/exporter must possess a valid Hazardous Substances Licence from NEA. The Declarant must declare the Hazardous Substances Licence Number under the ‘Licence Number’ field. For more information on the list of controlled hazardous substances and control of hazardous substances in Singapore, please visit NEA website.

   For the permit application to be processed smoothly, the declarant is advised to take note of the following:

   1. Determine the appropriate Product Code

      Sort out the import/export items having HS codes that are controlled by CCMD. Then check the detailed chemical composition of these items to look out for ingredients that are listed in the Part I of the Second Schedule of the EPMA. Items having such chemical ingredients controlled under the EPMA are to be declared using a CCMD product code.

      For example:

      The composition of your product is :

      Emulsifiers 30%

      Xylene 15%

      Fenthion 55%

      In this example, Fenthion is controlled under the EPMA and the product code to be declared is PCDFEN115. The Declarant is also required to provide the product code quantity and its unit of quantity in KGM.

      In addition, the Declarant needs to declare the composition of Fenthion, i.e. 55, in the “CA/SC Code1” field found at the item level of the Import/Export Permit application. The Declarant does not need to declare the percentage sign (i.e. %) in the “CA/SC Code1” field.

      The list of HS codes and Product codes for CCMD controlled items can be downloaded from the HS/CA Product Code Search Engine (click on “All HS/CA Product Code” under the download tab).

   2. Declare the Maximum Quantity Per Trip

      For controlled hazardous substances found in the Environmental Protection and Management (Hazardous Substances) Regulations [EPM(HS) Reg], the Declarant is required to declare the maximum quantity of hazardous substances chemicals to be transported per trip (computed in “KGM”) in the “CA/SC Code2” field found at the “item” level in the Import Permit application. It is not necessary to key in the unit of quantity “KGM” in the “CA/SC Code2” field. For quantities per trip exceeding the limits in The Schedule of the EPM(HS) Reg, the importer or exporter is required to have a transport approval from CCMD for the permit application to be processed smoothly.

      Example:

      If the maximum quantity per trip is 1 TNE, the Declarant is required to key in “1000” for 1000 kilograms in the “CA/SC Code2” field.

   3. Comply with the messages from TradeNet

      The Declarant is required to email the requested documents to CCMD for verification only when prompted by TradeNet.

      What is PCD license?

      2 A Hazardous Substances Licence will be required from Pollution Control Department (“PCD”) for the import, export and sale of new mobile phones, portable computers, refrigerators, air conditioners, panel TVs and washing machines containing parts and/or components exceeding the stipulated limits above.

      Which government authorities are involved in enforcing proper management of hazardous chemicals in Singapore?

      National Environment Agency - Chemical Control and Management Department (Hazardous Substances)

      What is HS license?

      Hazardous Substances (HS) Permit. Hazardous Substances (HS) Transport Approval. L1 - Licence to manufacture, possess for sale or deal in ionising irradiating apparatus. L2 - Licence to manufacture, possess for sale or deal in radioactive materials.

      Which of the following government agencies control the issue of permits for purchases of hazardous chemicals and their storage at the workplace?

      The National Environment Agency (NEA) licenses the import, storage, usage and disposal of prescribed hazardous substances that can pose environmental health problems.