COORDINATION:The EPA minister said the agency, if approved by lawmakers, would handle registration and authorization of all chemicals in the nation

Taipei Times
Date: Nov 04, 2016
By: Chen Wei-han / Staff reporter

A draft act to establish a new agency to oversee toxic chemicals was approved by the Executive Yuan yesterday, along with a plan to adapt 109 underused public facilities for ecotourism activities or elder care and childcare services.

If the Executive Yuan’s bill is approved by the legislature, the new agency will be established as part of the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) and charged with monitoring toxic chemicals to prevent their illegal use and regulating substances used in food production.

The Executive Yuan wants to see the agency launched by the end of the year, Environmental Protection Administration Minister Lee Ying-yuan (李應元) said.

It is to have an annual budget of NT$600 million (US$19.07 million), with 80 employees to begin with and a target of 150 employees in the future, Lee said.    [FULL  STORY]