Industry runs into harmonisation issues with Taiwan's revised chemical Act

The core of the revised TCSCA is a registration scheme which requires manufacturers and importers to register their new and existing chemical substances prior to entering Taiwan’s market.

Additionally, Taiwan moved to strengthen the management of Class 4 toxic chemical substances, new requirements which have required the industry to comply with since December 11th 2014. 

According to Chemical Watch, most foreign companies “have no major problems” with the final version of the registration rules. However, the American Chamber of Commerce government did report issues with harmonisation.

Government and public affairs specialist, Erica Lai told the publication: “The biggest problem was how to achieve registration harmonisation between the EPA and MoL rules, which were initially somewhat different.​ The EPA's scope is wider, so the MoL agreed to set up the single window under the EPA.”​

Meanwhile, P&G reported uncertainties over the scope of coverage of the registration requirements.

Regulatory and technical relations group manager, Abigail Lin said that; "consultations had eased concerns that many personal hygiene or cosmetic products, especially liquids such as shampoos or perfumes, would have to be registered. However, numerous questions on the scope of application were raised during the explanatory seminar."​

Taiwan FDA cracking down on regulations​

Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration recently announced that coal tar will be banned in cosmetics from January next year.

Coal tar is believed to reduce itchiness, and so is often used in skin products marketed to people suffering from various skin conditions, including eczema.

However, the Taiwanese governmental body has stated that it has introduced the ban in response to fears that the use of products containing coal tar for a long period of time may cause cancer.

Any cosmetic product containing the ingredient will no longer be able to be imported, made, sold, or provided to the public in Taiwan from the start of the coming year.

The move brings the country in line with the European Union and many south eastern Asian countries, which have already banned the use of coal tar in cosmetics, with the US allowing the ingredient only in select doctor-prescribed medicines.