Law 07/NA on Chemical Management.

This Law establishes a comprehensive legal framework for the management, monitoring, inspection and safe use of chemicals. Its objectives are to ensure that chemical-related activities are conducted in accordance with technical standards, to protect human health, life, property, the environment and society, and to contribute to sustainable socio-economic development. It defines key terms (including chemicals, hazardous chemicals, chemical waste, treatment and disposal) and sets out State policy to promote research, technology development, capacity building and investment in basic chemicals and in environmentally sound treatment and disposal of chemical waste. The law applies to all domestic and foreign persons and entities undertaking chemical activities in Lao PDR, excluding radioactive substances and atomic energy, and promotes international cooperation in chemicals management.
The law classifies hazardous chemicals into four types according to toxicity and danger, with Type I subject to a general prohibition on business use except for strictly approved purposes such as research, protection, and national defense. It adopts the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for classification and labelling of hazards to physical safety, human health and the environment. Detailed safety measures are prescribed for chemical activities, including safety data sheets, container and packaging requirements, labelling in Lao and foreign languages, storage standards, management, transport, transit, treatment and disposal of hazardous chemical waste, and operation of chemical laboratories. It regulates new chemicals and the discovery of new hazardous characteristics, and provides for the identification and mandatory suspension of fake, unstandardized and deteriorated chemicals. The law further requires accident prevention planning, staff training, installation of safety equipment, dissemination of information, and use of appropriate technology, and sets procedures for coordination and response in case of chemical accidents.The law regulates chemical business operations (manufacture, import, export, storage, transport, treatment and disposal) through licensing, registration and specific conditions on expertise, facilities, safety and environmental protection. It sets out rights and obligations of chemical business operators and users, including planning, reporting, database maintenance, training, waste treatment and liability for damages.
It establishes general and specific prohibitions for all persons, business operators and officials, including unlicensed operations, improper disposal, use of prohibited Type I chemicals, corruption and document falsification. Dispute resolution mechanisms include mediation, administrative proceedings, arbitration, court proceedings and international dispute settlement. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is designated as the lead authority for centralized management of chemical activities, with defined roles for provincial and district industry and commerce offices and for other sectors (health, agriculture and forestry, energy and mines, natural resources and environment, science and technology, transport, public security, national defense, and education). The law provides for internal and external monitoring, awards for compliance, and a graduated system of sanctions (educational, disciplinary, fines, civil liability, criminal penalties and additional measures such as suspension or withdrawal of business licences).