Inventory of chemical substances launched

In line with the requirements for Pre-Manufacture and Pre-importation Notification (PMPIN), as provided under Republic Act No. 6969 known as the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Act and its implementing rules and regulations, (DENR Administrative Order No. 29), the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), developed and launched the 2005 Updated Philippine Inventory of chemicals and Chemical Substances (PICCS). The launching was held last Feb. 22 at the EMB Air Quality Training Center, DENR Compound Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.

The PICCS contains a list of all existing chemicals and chemical substances used, sold, manufactured, imported, exported, stored, treated or transported in the Philippines. The inventory is in a CD-ROM format, a computer database to facilitate compiling, storage and retrieval of data, containing the Chemical Name and Chemical Abstract Service Registry Number.

This updated inventory is the second PICCS, the first of which was published in 2000 containing chemicals nominated in 1993. With these inventories, a total of 38,000 chemicals were nominated and included in the PICCS. Inclusion of chemical in the PICCS undergoes screening by members of the Chemical Review Committee who evaluate and decide as to whether a certain chemical will be included. The Priority Chemical Lists and chemical substances to be issued Chemical Control Orders are derived from the PICCS. Those that are not included in the PICCS cannot be manufactured or imported unless the proponent follows the PMPIN notification and assessment processes. This updated PICCS has an estimated 44,000 chemicals which include primarily chemicals which have been given PMPIN compliance certificates and omissions in the 2000 PICCS.

The launching included an information awareness seminar on EMB Chemical Management activities, international commitments on Persistent Organic Pollutants Prior Informed Consent, Globally Harmonized System of Labeling, responsible care and occupational safety and health programs of the government.

The PICCS CD-ROM is available at the Environment Quality Division, EMB Air Quality Management Training Center, Tel. No. 920-22-63/928-1185.