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1.
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Member to Agreement notifying: THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):
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2.
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Agency responsible:
Environmental Protection Administration
41, Chunghwa Road, Section 1, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Telephone: (+886 2) 2311 7722
Fax: (+886 2) 2311 6071
E-mail: chchiu@sun.epa.gov.tw
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and web-site addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:
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3.
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Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ X ], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], other:
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4.
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Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): One-time-use manganese-zinc batteries and non-button alkaline manganese batteries
(CCC-code: 85061021006, 8506109002)
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5.
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Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Announcement of draft "Restrictions on the Manufacture, Import, and Sale of Dry Cell Batteries" (Notice #0940079425 issued by the Environmental Protection Administration (6 pages in Chinese, English translation available)
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6.
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Description of content: In view of the hazard mercury poses to the environment and human health, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has determined this announcement concerning restrictions on the manufacture, import, and sale of dry cell batteries that contain mercury in excess of the standard value in accordance with Article 21 of the Waste Disposal Act and in parallel with European Union battery directives and regulations.
In light of the fact that that alkaline manganese batteries and manganese-zinc batteries are currently used in large quantities and are made using mature mercury-free production technology, the government shall first prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of manganese-zinc batteries and non-button type alkaline manganese batteries that contain in excess of five parts per million mercury. The manufacturers and importers would be required to submit documents to verify a mercury content of less than five parts per million when applying to the central competent authority for confirmation prior to the import or
manufacture of such batteries. Furthermore, vendors may not sell designated batteries without EPA confirmation. The government has taken these steps to effectively control the smuggling and surreptitious import of inferior quality batteries.
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7.
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Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Resource conservation and waste reduction.
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8.
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Relevant documents: Resources Recycling Act.
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9.
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Proposed date of adoption:
Proposed date of entry into force:
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To be determined
1 July 2006
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10.
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Final date for comments: 60 days from date of notification.
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11.
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Texts available from: National enquiry point [ X ] or address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and web-site addresses, if available of the other body:
WTO/TBT Enquiry Point
The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection
Ministry of Economic Affairs
4 Chinan Road, Section 1, Taipei, 100, Taiwan
Telephone: (+886 2) 3343 5115
Fax: (+886 2) 2343 1804
E-mail: tbtenq@bsmi.gov.tw
English translation available at:
http://www.bsmi.gov.tw/upload/b05/TBT/notificati/ROC/Environment.pdf
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