The Emergence of Precautionary Chemical Management As a Salient Environmental Policy Issue in China

The precautionary principle promotes preventive measures in face of scientific uncertainty. It has been integrated into a number of chemical regulations and agreements, including Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration, and the European Union’s regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). China is the second largest producer of chemicals in the world. In recent years, health and environmental issues resulting from chemical pollution in China have frequently taken place, involving industries such as electronics and textiles. Environmentally sound management of chemicals is getting increased attention from the Chinese government. The development of China’s chemical management policy may be observed from its policy amendments in recent years. In this context, what (combination of) principles guide China’s chemical management policy becomes an interesting question. Drawing on interviews with key stakeholders, this paper analyzes the precautionary principle’s application in China’s chemical management policy, including consideration of risk assessment. It also reviews major Chinese chemical management laws, finding that government agencies are increasingly emphasizing chemicals' environmental hazards. The study finds elements of both the precautionary principle and risk assessment in China’s chemical management policy today.