Pakistan announces draft Regulations for Handling, Manufacturing, Storage and Import of Hazardous Substances and Wastes

On January 2022, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published draft regulations (Handling, Manufacture, Storage, Import of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Substances Rules, 2022) on the handling, manufacture, storage and import of hazardous substances and wastes, and solicited comments (the publication date and the deadline for soliciting comments is unknown). The draft regulations stipulate rules for industrial activities that meet the standards for hazardous chemicals prescribed in the regulations and for isolated storage of hazardous chemicals in quantities greater than or equal to the threshold. Obligations such as obtaining environmental permits, submitting safety reports and safety and environmental audit reports, preparing emergency response plans, and reporting serious accidents are imposed (*For details of the targeted activities, refer to Articles 3 and 5). In addition, when importing hazardous chemicals, the necessary information must be submitted to the authorities at least 30 days before the estimated date of importation.