In the News: Production Safety Review; Registered Blockchain Firms; and Fentanyl Derivatives Control
April 08, 2019 | BY
Marilyn RomeroFollowing the tragic Yancheng explosion, China is reviewing its related safety regulations; the government released the names of 197 information providers now registered in the use of blockchain-based technology; and laws controlling production of the drug Fentanyl have now been extended to all its derivatives.
China to revise safety law in wake of Yancheng explosion
A recent explosion at an industrial park in Yancheng in China's coastal province of Jiangsu has prompted the Chinese government to reassess the country's Production Safety Law. According to reports, the government will revise the law this year as part of the efforts to prevent another similar incident from occurring. The Yancheng explosion killed 78 people and injured 600 more. Following the explosion, China's Ministry of Emergency Management said it will check all hazardous chemicals plants in the region to investigate their safety measures. The check will focus on plants involved in the production and storage of nitrates. The Production Safety Law is intended to ensure supervision and control over work safety; and reduce accidents in the workplace. China may also speed up the drafting of another law on hazardous chemicals following the incident.
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CAC issues list of registered blockchain firms
China's internet censorship agency, the Cyberspace Administration of China, also known as the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission or CAC, has released the names of the first batch of officially registered blockchain companies in the country. The CAC issued registration numbers for 197 blockchain-based information service providers, which are now given the green light to start operating.
The first batch of registered companies includes listed internet companies such as Baidu, Tencent and iQiyi; and also startup companies such as Lufax and VeChain. Approvals were made by the CAC in accordance with the regulations given in the Management Rules on Blockchain Information Service law, which the CAC released on February 15, 2019.
The registration numbers are required to be displayed in a prominent position, such as internet stations and application programs. “The filing is only the registration of the relevant information of the main blockchain information service, and does not represent an endorsement of its institutions, products and services,” the CAC said.
China targets production of fentanyl derivatives
Chinese regulators announced on April 1 that all fentanyl derivatives would be declared as controlled substances starting May 1. Fentanyl is already listed, and remains controlled, but the regulators have laid out steps for further enforcement, including stricter investigations and better tracking of shipments. The U.S. has lauded China's move to clamp down on the production of substances related to the deadly opioid fentanyl which the U.S. administration classes as a controlled narcotic. Chinese officials agreed in the past year to ramp up cooperation with their American counterparts on illegal drug production and sales.
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