Question & AnswerQ&A (DENR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF Republic ACT 6969)
These Rules and Regulations shall be known as the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 6969, also known as the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990.
The policy is to regulate, restrict or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, use, and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures that present unreasonable risk and/or injury to health or the environment; prohibit the entry, even in transit, of hazardous and nuclear wastes into Philippine territory; and facilitate research on toxic chemicals and hazardous and nuclear wastes.
These Rules and Regulations cover importation, manufacture, processing, handling, storage, transportation, sale, distribution, use, and disposal of unregulated chemical substances and mixtures in the Philippines, including entry even in transit, and keeping, storage and disposal of hazardous and nuclear wastes.
Hazardous substances are those presenting either short-term acute hazards such as toxicity by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption, corrosivity or risk of fire or explosion, or long-term environmental hazards including chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, resistance to biodegradation, potential pollution of waters, or objectionable odors.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) administers these Rules and Regulations, with the Secretary or duly authorized representatives enforcing them and assisted by other government instrumentalities as necessary.
An Environmental Protection Officer may investigate compliance, enter premises where chemicals or hazardous waste are handled, require samples, take documents for examination, stop and inspect vehicles transporting hazardous wastes without permits, and require offenders to provide their full identification.
Waste generators must notify DENR of the types and quantities of waste generated, continue to own and be responsible for the waste until properly treated or disposed of, prepare emergency contingency plans, and train personnel on safe hazardous waste handling and management.
Penalties include imprisonment of six months and one day to six years and one day, fines ranging from P600 to P4,000, deportation and ban on reentry for foreigners, and dismissal plus disqualification from office for government officials.
Entry or even transit of hazardous and nuclear wastes into the Philippines for any purpose is prohibited. Violations carry penalties including imprisonment, fines, confiscation of the wastes, and forfeiture of transportation means used.