Preface 

This directory overviews Chinese organizations' chemical safety capacities. Its purpose is to strengthen information exchange between different units, thus assist in implementing preventive measures against chemical hazards at work. The directory is a tool for anyone who is involved in use of chemicals: government officers, importers and exporters, chemical manufacturers and suppliers, employers' and workers' representatives, educational institutions, international organizations, and development agencies.

The annual number of work-related accidents caused by hazardous chemicals is alarming. In April, 1995, China ratified the ILO's Chemicals Convention (No. 170, 1990). Since then, various measures have been initiated to implement this Convention. In 1997, the Ministry of Labour and the former Ministry of Chemical Industries issued the national regulation of the Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work. The State Economic and Trade Commission (in charge of chemical safety since 1998), is now revising the national regulation of Chemical hazardous substances safety management.

After ratifying the ILO's Chemicals Convention, many institutions and centres have been established as well as several manuals, databases, and publications developed. The Government of China has organized a series of national events to promote safe use of chemicals. China also participates actively in international conferences and seminars on chemical safety.

The ILO/FINNIDA ASIA-OSH project has assisted the National ILO Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre for China (ILO-CIS Centre) in compiling this directory. We would like to thank the ASIA-OSH project, the ILO Beijing Office, as well as all involved organizations for their participation and contribution. We hope that this directory enhances chemical safety networking and planning in China.

For further information on chemical safety, please contact any organization listed in this directory. The contact at our Centre is:

Ms Yang Nailian, Chief
The National ILO Occupational Safety and Health
Information Centre (ILO-CIS Centre) for China
State Economic and Trade Commission
17 Hui Xin Xi Jie, Chao Yang District
100029 Beijing, China
e-mail: ynl@ cis-safety-inf.org.cn
Internet: www.cis-safety-inf.org.cn

The contacts at the International Labour Organization are:
Mr D. Ndjonkou, Director
ILO Area Office in Beijing
1-11-2 Tayuan Diplomatic Office Building
14 Liang Ma He Nan Lu
Chao Yang District, Beijing 100600
Tel: (86-106) 532.5091-95
Fax: (86-106) 532.1420
e-mail: beijing@ilo.org

Ms P. Markkanen, Expert in Occupational Safety and Health
ILO/FINNIDA Asian-Pacific Regional
Programme on Occupational Safety and Health
P.O. Box 2-349
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: 66-2-288 2494
Fax: 66-2-280 8030
e-mail: asiaosh@ilo.org

Dr J. Takala, Director
SafeWork InFocus Programme
International Labour Office, ILO
CH-1211, Geneva 22, Switzerland
Tel: 41-22- 799 6716
Fax: 41-22-799 6878
e-mail: takala@ilo.org

Updated by PAP/SUT/TRS. Approved by BKL. Last update: 17 January 2001.