China’s Guangdong Province announces guidelines on development of emergency response measures for environmental accidents

On August 15, 2020, the Bureau of Ecology and Environment of Guangdong Province, China announced the Guidelines for Companies and Public institutions in Guangdong Province on Development of Emergency Response Measures for Unexpected Environmental Accidents (trial implementation). These guidelines provide detailed provisions developed based on the province’s current circumstances for the development of Emergency Response Measures for Unexpected Environmental Accidents, which are required by national legislation. Here is an outline of the guidelines.

Scope

The guidelines apply to Emergency Response Measures for Unexpected Environmental Accidents of most companies and public institutions in the Guangdong Province in the industries that are on the List of Industries in Which Emergency Response Measures for Unexpected Environmental Accidents Should Be Submitted¹ (guiding opinion; Yue Huan [粤环], No. 44 [2018]).

¹Twenty three industries including printing, chemical, automotive and electrical equipment industries (see the link below for details).

http://gdee.gd.gov.cn/hjyj/content/post_2481805.html

Definition of term

“Emergency Response Measures for Unexpected Environmental Accidents” are emergency measures taken by companies to respond to various accidents or natural disasters. These measures are prepared in advance as business plans to prevent or minimize the entry of pollutants or other toxic/hazardous substances into environmental media such as air, water and soil.

Procedure of emergency response measures development

1. Preparation:

Set up a measure development team, collect information and conduct field research.

2. Risk assessment:

Assess environmental risks, identify risks and develop accident scenarios.

3. Measure development:

Establish the emergency response structure of the organization with clearly defined responsibilities for the members, and clarify the steps of emergency response.

The appendices to the guidelines provide some examples of information to collect and responsibilities for the members of the emergency response structure, as well as examples of accident scenarios for typical companies such as in the printed circuit board industry.

The original text of the guidelines can be viewed at the following link (in Simplified Chinese).

http://gdee.gd.gov.cn/shbtwj/content/post_3066785.html