In Singapore, the control of hazardous chemicals is implemented mainly through the following measures:
- Planning control
- Licensing control
- Enforcement
Planning control
The Development Control and Licensing Division (DCLD) ensures that new developments are properly sited and compatible with surrounding land use, by imposing to minimise pollution and its impact on surrounding developments. The Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) and Housing Development Board (HDB) consult DCLD on the allocation of industrial premises, and in turn, DCLD assesses and evaluates the environmental impact of the proposed industries to ensure that they do not pose unmanageable health and safety hazards and pollution problems. A proposed industry will be allowed only if the emissions of pollutants can comply with the specified requirements.
Such requirements include requiring developers of major developments to carry out pollution control assessments, such as an assessment of all pollution impact on the environment and recommendation of measures to mitigate such impact. DCLD will issue clearance to the proposed development only if its evaluation of the study reports confirms that pollution impact can be mitigated to acceptable levels.
DCLD encourages industries to reuse, recycle and recover their by-products to minimise waste generation. Disposal of wastes by landfill is used only as a last resort. For proposed industrial developments, DCLD also checks and ensures that clean technology is adopted in industrial processes. After a proposed development has been granted planning approval, a developer can proceed to submit building plans to the Building Control Division (currently known as Building and Control Authority, BCA) of the Public Works Department for approval.
Under the current procedure on building plan approval, the developer must submit building plans to technical departments including DCLD for clearance. DCLD checks the building plans for compliance with technical requirements on environmental health, drainage, sewerage and pollution control, and that pollution control measures are incorporated into the building designs. After the completion of a development, DCLD inspects it to ensure compliance with technical requirements before granting clearance to BCA for the issue of Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) / Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) to the completed development.
Industries are required to apply for written permission, licence and permits from Pollution Control 1 Division (PCD1) before they can start operations.
Licensing controls
Licensing controls for hazardous substances are implemented under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA). The licensing controls prevent unauthorised persons from handling such substances and ensure proper safeguards are taken always in the handling of the substances to prevent accidental releases and to mitigate any adverse effects if they occur.
The following licensing controls over the import, transport, storage and use of hazardous substances are implemented under The Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA) and its Regulations.
Hazardous Substances Licence
Any person who wishes to import, sell or export any hazardous substance controlled under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA) must obtain a licence.
A licence will be issued to a person if:
- he can show proof that the hazardous substances will be stored safely in an approved location and in compliance with all storage requirements;
- the use of the hazardous substances at his factory has been approved;
- he has sat and passed the Management of Hazardous Substances Course; and
- his academic qualification must be at least a technical diploma.
Hazardous Substances Permit
Any person who wishes to purchase, store and/or use any hazardous substance controlled under the Environmental Protection and Management (Hazardous Substances) Regulations must obtain a HS permit.
A permit will be issued to a person if:
- he can show proof that the hazardous substances will be stored safely in an approved location and in compliance with all storage requirements;
- the use of the hazardous substances at his factory has been approved; and
- he has declared that he has read and understood the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA) and its Regulations.
You may submit an electronic application for a Hazardous Substances Licence/Permit online here: https://www.gobusiness.gov.sg/licences/
Transport approval control
Anyone who wishes to transport any hazardous substance in quantities exceeding the limits specified in the Environmental Protection and Management (Hazardous Substances) Regulations (see Table 2) must obtain a Transport Approval.
A Transport Approval will be issued to a person if:
- he holds a licence to handle hazardous substances; and
- he can show proof that the hazardous substances will be transported safely in compliance with all transportation requirements.
The licence holder can also submit an online application for a Hazardous Substances Transport Approval here: https://www.gobusiness.gov.sg/licences/