-RA 6969-

Important Aspects of Toxic Substances and

Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of
1990
By: Leslie B. Rubin
 Preview – Important Aspects of RA 6969
• (Part I) – Health Effects of Improper Hazardous Waste
and Chemicals Management
• (Part II) – Brief History, Definition & Purpose
• (Part III) – Functions, Powers and Responsibilities of
DENR
• (Part IV) – Prohibited Acts and its corresponding
penalties
Why focus on Chemicals and Hazardous Wastes?

Why focus on Chemicals and

Hazardous Wastes?!
Part I
Health Effects of Improper Hazardous Waste and Chemicals Management
Health Effects of Common Inorganic Contaminants
Other Health Effects
Why focus on Chemicals and Hazardous Wastes?

• Global production of chemicals has increased from 1M tons

in 1930 to 400M at present
• Certain chemicals have caused serious damages to human
and the environment (e.g. asbestos, and benzene)
• Incidence of some diseases has increased
• Some are persistent and becomes endocrine disruptor
Part II
History, Definition and Purpose
Brief History
• Enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress
• Approved October 26, 1990
• Ramon V. Mitra – Speaker of the House of
Representatives
• Jovito R. Salonga – President of the Senate
• Corazon C. Aquino – President of the
Philippines
 Why RA 6969 is created?
1. To keep an inventory of chemicals that are imported,
manufactured or used

2. To monitor and regulate the importation, manufacture,

processing, handling, storage, transportation, sale,
distribution, use and disposal of chemical substances,

3. To inform and educate the community regarding the

hazards and risks attendant to the manufacture,
handling, storage, transportation, processing,
distribution, use and disposal of toxic chemicals and
other substances and mixtures

4. To prevent the entry, even in transit, as well as the

keeping or storage and disposal of hazardous and
nuclear wastes into the country
What are hazardous wastes?
Substances that are without any safe commercial, industrial, agricultural or
economic usage and are shipped, transported or brought from the country of
origin for dumping or disposal into or in transit through any part of the
territory of the Philippines.

By-products, side-products, process residues, spent reaction media,

contaminated plant or equipment or other substances from manufacturing
operations, and as consumer discards of manufactured products which
present unreasonable risks and/or injury to health and safety to the people
or to the environment.
COMMON EXAMPLES OF HAZARDOUS WASTES

• Paints
• Used batteries
• Used Oil
• Busted bulbs
What are toxic chemicals?

Any substance which may be harmful to the

environment or hazardous to your health if
inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the
skin.
COMMONLY USED TOXIC SUBSTANCES
• drain cleaner
• laundry detergent
• furniture polish
• gasoline
• pesticides
• ammonia
• toilet bowl cleaner
• motor oil
• rubbing alcohol
• bleach
• battery acid
RA 6969: Toxic Substances and Hazardous and
Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990
This Act shall cover the importation, manufacture,
processing, handling, storage, transportation, sale,
distribution, use and disposal of all unregulated chemical
substances and mixtures in the Philippines, including the
entry even in transit, as well as the keeping or storage and
disposal of hazardous and nuclear wastes into the country
for whatever purposes.
Definition of Terms

• Philippine Inventory of Chemicals and

Chemical Substances (PICCS) - It is a list of all
existing chemicals and chemical substances
used, sold, distributed, imported, processed,
manufactured, stored, exported, treated or
transported in the Philippines. 46,967
chemicals and substances
Philippine Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical Substances (PICCS)

Manufacturers and importers need not notify and secure

clearance from DENR-EMB before they manufacture or
import chemicals included in PICCS provided that it is not
in the PCL and CCO or chemicals which are already
covered or regulated by other laws or registration
Definition (as used in this Act)

• Priority Chemicals List (PCL) - It is a list of

existing and new chemicals that DENR-EMB has
determined to a potentially pose unreasonable
risk to public health, workplace, and the
environment. Currently, there are 48 chemicals
listed in the PCL
Definition (as used in this Act)

• Chemical Control Order (CCO) - is an order which either

prohibits, limits and regulates the use, manufacture,
import, export, transport, processing, storage, possession
and wholesale of priority chemicals that DENR-EMB
determined to be
because of the serious risks they pose to public health,
workplace, and environment. Currently, there are six (6)
CCOs
Chemical Control Orders (CCOs)
DAO 97-38: CCO for Mercury and its compounds
DAO 97-39: CCO for Cyanide and its compounds
DAO 2000-02: CCO for Asbestos
DAO 2013-25: Revised Regulations on CCO for
Ozone Depleting Substances
DAO 2004-01: CCO for Polychlorinated Biphenyls
(PCBs)
DAO 2013-24 : CCO for Lead and Lead Compounds
What are Polychlorinated Biphenyls?

• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic chemicals

which are no longer produced in the United States, but are
still found in the environment.
• PCBs have been used as coolants and lubricants in
transformers, capacitors and other electrical equipment
because they don’t burn easily and are good insulators.
• The manufacture of PCBs was stopped in the U.S. in 1977
because of evidence they build up in the environment and
can cause harmful health effects.
What is a PCB Transformer?

• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) were used

in electrical transformers manufactured
between 1929 and 1977, with the majority
being installed in residential and commercial
buildings, and industrial facilities.
How might I be exposed to PCBs?

• Fluorescent lighting fixture, electrical devices

and appliances manufactured 30 or more
years ago may leak small amounts of PCBs
and be sources of skin exposure, hence, when
the equipment wears out.
• Exposure can still occur during maintenance or
repair of equipment.
Definition (as used in this Act)

Small Quantity Importation (SQI)

Clearance
It is to screen harmful substances not
listed in the PICCS before they enter
Philippine’s commerce with quantity
less than 1,000 kg / year.
Definition (as used in this Act)

Pre-Manufacturing And Pre-Importation

Notification (PMPIN)
It is to screen harmful substances not listed
in the PICCS before they enter Philippine’s
commerce with quantity greater than 1,000
kg / year.
Part III
Functions, Powers and Responsibilities of DENR
 Functions, Powers and Responsibilities of DENR

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall

be the implementing agency tasked with the following
functions, powers, and responsibilities:

• To keep an updated, inventory of chemicals that are

presently being manufactured or used, indicating, among
others, their existing and possible uses, quantity, test data,
names of firms manufacturing or using them, and such
other information as the Secretary may consider relevant
to the protection of health and the environment;(Sec’n 6-a)
 Functions, Powers and Responsibilities of DENR

• To conduct inspection of any establishment in which

chemicals are manufactured, processed, stored or
held before or after their commercial distribution and
to make recommendations to the proper authorities
concerned; (Sec’n 6-f)
• To confiscate or impound chemicals found not falling
within the standard set by the rules and regulations
and the said acts cannot be enjoined except after the
chemicals have been impounded; (Sec’n 6-g)
Part IV
Prohibited Acts and Penalties
“Save Earth for future
generations.”

Thank you.