PROPOSED PHASING OUT OF PERSISTANT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
Title: Proposed Regulations to phase out the use of persistent organic pollutants
Government Gazette Notice: GN R626 in GG 40954 of 30 June 2017
Commencing Date: Not yet specified
The Minister of Environmental Affairs gave notice of her intention to make regulations to phase out the use of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The following POPs are proposed to be phased out:
• Hexabromobiphenyl;
• Pentachlorobenzene;
• Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acids; its salts (PFOS) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonyl Fluoride;
• Hexabromophenyl Ether and Heptabromodiphenyl Ether; and
• Tetrabromodiphenyl Ether and Pentabromodiphenyl Ether.
The purpose of the proposed phase out of these chemicals is to ensure that impacts or potential impacts on human health, well-being, safety and environment are prevented, mitigated or minimised. Proposed timeframes in which all listed chemicals should be completely phased-out and all resulting wastes disposed of are also prescribed in the notice.
Specific requirements pertaining to notification of possession of the listed substances are proposed, together with requirements to develop a phase-out plan for a listed chemical and reporting requirements.
Members of the public are invited to submit to the Minister, within 60 days of publication of this Notice the Gazette, written representations or objections to the addresses specified in the notice.
So what for my operation?
The above mentioned chemicals are typically used in one or more of the following processes/ products:
• Flame retardants;
• Photo masks in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries;
• Metal plating (hard metal and decorative plating);
• Electric and electronic parts for some colour printers and colour copy machines;
• Insecticides for control of red imported fire ants and termites;
• Chemically driven oil production;
• To reduce the viscosity of PCB products employed for heat transfer;
• In dyestuff carriers, and
• Fungicides.
If your operation uses any of the above-mentioned chemicals, your operation will have to notify the Minister thereof and develop and implement a phase out plan pertaining thereto, once these Regulations are published as final.
What is Shangoni’s approach?
Shangoni can conduct a hazardous chemical substance risk assessment for your operation/ site. As part of this process, all hazardous chemicals used on your site will be identified, together with relevant legal requirements. Shangoni can also assist you in compiling phase out plans for any substances used on site.
