The Premier Chemicals and Cosmetics Export Promotion Council (CHEMEXCIL) is of the view that there is a need for a new chemical legislation in the country.

"The chemical industry is concerned about its tarnished image and is making efforts to refurbish its image by concepts like ?Product Stewardship?, ?responsible care? and so on. International retailers also are very active in setting up chemical safety standards by implementing their ?restricted substances list? and safety ?standards?," it said.

"Against this background it is very pertinent that we revisit our national legislations and standards and come up with own legislations based on realistic risk assessment," CHEMEXCIL said in a letter to the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC).

According to CHEMEXCIL, there are no specific Indian legislations pertaining to registration of substances, preparation of a national inventory, restrictions on hazardous substances, banning of certain substances, detailed classification and labeling criteria, and transport classification.

"Some of these issues have been briefly addressed under certain legislations; however, they have not been addressed adequately in a scientific manner. There is a need for holistic approach towards chemical legislations. Maybe a centralized body like Indian Chemical Agency needs to be established by law which will be responsible for and authorized to introduce these legislations and a competent body to monitor its implementation also needs to be in place," it suggested.

However, CHEMEXCIL pointed out that any approach of formulation of legislation on the principles of retaliatory measures will not be productive.

"Any new legislation is likely to increase the burden on the Indian chemical industry in terms of costs, manpower, administrative tasks and data acquisition. It will also require an administrative machinery to be set up in the government to implement and monitor the implementation. Hence the aim, purpose and approach should be based on concern for protection of human health and environment rather than anything else," it said.