Hazardous Substances Law, 1993.

The Hazardous Substances Law is based upon the government decision to transfer responsibility for toxic substances and harmful chemicals from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of the Environment. Regulations of pharmaceutics and medical drugs remain the responsibility of the Ministry of Health. The Hazardous Substances Law, with its attached listings of toxic substances and hazardous chemicals provides the Ministry of the Environment with the authority for the comprehensive management of hazardous substances. The Minister may promulgate regulations as to: classification of hazardous substances, in accordance to their use, degree of toxicity or risk; the manufacture, import, export, packaging, commerce, issue, transfer, storage maintenance and use of hazardous substances. Regulations or orders related to substances to be used in agriculture will be made in consultation with the Ministers of Health, Agriculture, and Labor and Welfare. The Law establishes a licensing requirement, in accordance with the Licensing of Businesses Law, for any premise engaged in the sale of hazardous substances and a permit requirement for any business dealing in toxic substances. The holder of a poisons permit is required to maintain a toxic substances register in which all sales and purchases of poisons are recorded. Other provisions of the Law relate to the storage of toxic substances and to other restrictions on the sale of toxic substances by manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.