Updating the Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989 and the Chemical Accidents Rules, 1996
Submissions to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on modernising the regulatory framework on hazardous chemicals
Summary: Vidhi recommended updating the Indian framework on hazardous chemicals in line with the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals to meet international obligations and protect public safety.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently invited comments from the public on amending the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989 and the Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules, 1996.
Vidhi submitted a short set of comments focusing on the need to harmonise the Indian regulatory framework with the United Nations Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. The comments highlight the need for more specific criteria for classifying chemicals, more detailed labelling requirements and safety data sheets, differentiating responsibilities across different users’ groups of chemicals, and conducting periodic reviews of the risks presented by hazardous substances.
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About the Authors
Debadityo is a Senior Resident Fellow and Lead, the Climate & Ecosystems team at Vidhi. His research interest lies in the intersection of ecology, law, and policy. He graduated with B.Sc. (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Delhi in 2009 and completed M.Sc. (Tech.) Environmental Science & Technology from Banaras Hindu University in 2012. He has also undertaken training on Tropical Forest Restoration from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in 2016. He has over 12 years of professional experience in issues related to the environment and wildlife protection. In the past, he has worked with organizations like Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre, Legal Initiative for Forest & Environment, WWF-India, Wildlife Trust of India and several grassroots organizations. He is founder and trustee of Vindhyan Ecology and Natural History Foundation (since 2012). He is a recipient of the Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award' (2019) and is member of IUCN-Species Survival Commission’s Bear Specialist Group and EKOenergy network, Helsinki. Debadityo has also initiated litigations in the National Green Tribunal on issues related to environmental clearance, declaration of eco-sensitive zones and compensation for environmental damage.
Dr. Dhvani Mehta {B.L.S. LL.B. (University of Mumbai); BCL, D.Phil (Oxon)} is a Co-Founder at Vidhi and Lead, Health. She has worked specifically on research projects on environmental clearances, the National Green Tribunal, organ transplant laws, end of life care, and pharmaceutical and medical device regulation. She has appeared in the Supreme Court of India in petitions filed by Vidhi on advance medical directives and discrimination against persons affected by leprosy. She has authored chapters on the implementation of environmental judgments and healthcare corruption in India. Dhvani read for a doctoral degree at the University of Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, where she was Chairperson of Oxford Pro Bono Publico and an editor of the Oxford Human Rights Hub blog. Her doctoral thesis explores the idea of an environmental rule of law in India and was cited by the Supreme Court of India.
