This Resolution, comprising 28 articles, regulates the management of hazardous chemicals in Oman, establishing, as general rules, that the handling, transport, storage, re-export, transit, or disposal of hazardous chemicals must comply with the conditions set by the relevant Authority, and transport or storage requires a license from the Civil Defense and Ambulance Authority. Chapter 2 outlines the environmental permits, establishing that importing, exporting, using, manufacturing, selling, or distributing hazardous chemicals requires an environmental permit. Manufacturing must include all relevant data, and selling or distributing is allowed only if properly registered and compliant with the Authority conditions. Import/export permits are valid until the authorized quantity is used, up to one year, while usage permits are valid for up to three years. Permit fees are set according to Annex 1. Chapter 3 outlines the responsibilities of the permit holder, who must maintain a valid environmental permit along with the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and comply with all regulations for handling hazardous chemicals. Key obligations include: not exceeding authorized quantities, coordinating the disposal of expired chemicals, submitting semi-annual reports, facilitating inspections, and properly packaging and storing chemicals in compliant containers. The Regulation also requires that chemical incidents and facility changes be promptly reported, imported chemicals reach their designated location within seven working days, a detailed chemical database be maintained, and environmental impact assessments - including pollutant monitoring, laboratory analyses, and audits of manufacturing processes - be conducted. Chapter 4 defines the powers of the authority which is responsible for (i) classifying hazardous chemicals according to international standards; (ii) issuing guidelines for proper management; (iii) maintaining records of chemicals and permit holders; (iv) collecting related data and information. It may grant permits to research, academic, and accredited laboratories for the scientific use of hazardous chemicals in very limited quantities. The Authority may (i) monitor imported and exported chemicals at border points, verify their data, collect samples, and conduct analyses; (ii) suspend permits in cases of misuse, non-compliance, or tampering with container labels; (iii) cancel permits when international bans apply, false information is submitted, permits are transferred or modified without authorization, or inspections are misled; (iv) impose administrative penalties for violations, requiring the violator to restore the situation to its original state before the breach.
Oman · 2023-04-30