SYLLABUS SECTION: GS III (SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
WHY IN NEWS CHEMICALS AND PETROCHEMICALS?
Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) and International Labor Organization (ILO) have signed an MoU,
To adopt the International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) for information dissemination to the chemical industry.
KEY DETAILS:
- ICSCs are data sheets intend to provide essential safety and health information on chemicals concisely.
- Its aim to promote safe use of chemicals at workplace.
- ICSCs are develop by WHO and ILO with cooperation of European Commission.
- Frequency and severity of chemical disasters has increased due to rapid development of chemical and petrochemical industries and increase in size of plants, storage and carriers, specifically in densely populated areas.
- Ministry of Environment is nodal Ministry for management of Chemicals and Petrochemicals disasters.
Provisions to deal with Chemical disasters
- Doctrine of absolute liability propounded in M.C. Mehta v. UOI (Oleum Gas leak case), 1986
- Under this, enterprises engaged in hazardous or inherently dangerous activities shall be liable for compensation if any accident in its operation results in escape of toxic substances.
- Environment Relief Fund, a central fund under Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, was set up to provide immediate relief to victims.
- Under Environment Protection Act, 1987, Centre has notified Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989 and Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Trans boundary Movement) Rules, 2008 for regulating hazardous substances.
Read more: UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS
SOURCE: BUSINESS STANDARD
