Ministry of Emergency Management: At present, 19 provinces have designated 352 chemical industrial parks.

On the 29th, Li Wanchun, Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Emergency Management and Director-General of the Investigation and Statistics Department, stated that China has launched a “three-pronged remediation” campaign targeting chemical industrial parks, enterprises handling hazardous chemicals, and small-scale chemical operations. To date, 19 provincial governments have designated 352 chemical industrial parks.

On January 29, the State Council Information Office held a press conference to present an update on the follow-up review of measures implemented to address major and especially serious accidents over the past five years. In response to questions from reporters, Li Wanchun stated that ensuring the safe production of hazardous chemicals is the top priority in workplace safety. Since 2015, the hazardous chemicals sector has experienced a total of ten major and especially serious accidents, with seven of these occurring between 2017 and 2019.

Li Wanchun stated that, following an assessment of 10 major and particularly serious accidents in the hazardous chemicals sector, three key issues have been identified: First, structural imbalances within the chemical industry remain pronounced, with small and medium-sized enterprises still accounting for a significant share in areas such as fine chemicals. These firms generally exhibit low levels of automation and fragile safety‑assurance capabilities. Second, regulatory oversight across the entire safety‑production chain in the hazardous chemicals field requires further strengthening, especially in the transportation, storage, and waste‑disposal stages, where gaps in safety supervision persist and the risk of accidents remains substantial. Third, corporate principal responsibility is not being adequately fulfilled; given that the hazardous chemicals industry is inherently high‑risk, workers often lack the requisite professional qualifications, safety management is weak, and intrinsic safety levels are inadequate. In some cases, certain enterprises even disregard applicable laws and regulations, treating human life with reckless disregard.

Li Wanchun stated that, with regard to safety supervision in the hazardous chemicals sector, four key measures have been implemented:

First, we strengthened top-level design. For the first time, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the “Opinions on Comprehensively Strengthening Work on the Safe Production of Hazardous Chemicals,” launching a three-year special campaign to enhance safety in this sector. A year-long special rectification effort was also launched in Jiangsu, with particular focus on the chemical industry, providing assistance and guidance to help the province explore effective measures that can better inform nationwide efforts. In terms of bolstering the regulatory framework and capacity for hazardous chemicals, the Ministry of Emergency Management established the First and Second Divisions for Hazardous Chemicals, significantly increasing staffing; the reform is now fully in place.

Second, we focused on managing major risks. We kept a close watch on major hazard sources; at present, a four-tier monitoring and early-warning system for such sources has been established, and a collaborative regulatory mechanism involving fire services and local authorities has been put in place. Two rounds of targeted inspections and guidance targeting enterprises with major hazard sources have been completed, and a responsibility‑based safety management system for these sources has been formulated. In addition, a “Special Control Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals” has been developed for particularly sensitive chemical substances. Following the Beirut explosion, three consecutive special campaigns were launched to address explosives such as ammonium nitrate, providing comprehensive guidance and support to all 214 nitration facilities nationwide.

Third, we will enhance intrinsic safety. We have launched a three‑pronged remediation campaign targeting chemical industrial parks, hazardous‑chemical enterprises, and small-scale chemical operations. To date, 19 provincial governments have designated 352 chemical industrial parks, and we are developing categorized remediation and phasing‑out lists for outdated technologies and equipment. In addition, we have organized crackdowns on illegal and non‑compliant small‑scale chemical operations. Meanwhile, four rounds of guidance and support have been provided to 53 key counties with hazardous‑chemical activities, which have in turn spurred similar efforts in 261 other key counties nationwide.

Fourth, enhance basic safety‑assurance capabilities. The “Guidelines for Identifying and Addressing Safety Risks in Chemical Industrial Parks” and the “Guidelines for Identifying and Addressing Safety Risks in Enterprises Handling Hazardous Chemicals” have been issued, and national standards such as the “Identification of Major Hazard Sources of Hazardous Chemicals” and the “Methods for Determining External Safety Protection Distances for Hazardous Chemical Production Units and Storage Facilities” have been formulated or revised.

Li Wanchun stated that these measures have yielded phased results: last year, the number of chemical‑industry accidents nationwide decreased by 26 compared with the previous year, and the death toll fell by 98, representing declines of 15.3% and 35%, respectively. No major or particularly serious accidents occurred, thereby reversing the unfavorable trend since 2017, when there had been more than two such incidents each year for three consecutive years.

Source: Polaris Atmospheric Network