Asia-Pacific EHS Service
Asia-Pacific is one of the world's most diverse regions. It ranges
from China to the smallest countries in the Pacific. It spans
heavily industrialised countries like Japan, Australia and Korea to the poorest
developing countries like Timor-Leste or Bangladesh.
ENHESA has noticed that many of our American and European multinational
clients (even including governmental institutions) have significant communication
barriers in Asian markets, not just because of language barriers but also because
of different conceptualization of regulations and government enforcement
measures. Drawing on our extensive experience in Asian market and internal and external
Asian experts, ENHESA can help you to find your way to ensure both compliance and efficient operations in Asian
markets.
North Asia
Greater China
It has become more and more difficult to talk about North Asia
without mentioning Greater China (i.e. mainland China including Hong
Kong), with its market boasting a population of 1.2 billion and a fast economic
growth and the largest
recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) among developing countries (in
2001, contracted investment of US$69.16 billion). From an international trade
perspective, exports from China's non-state firms rose 27.6 percent in 2002,
another contributing factor to China's overall export growth. That 52 percent of China's exports in 2002 came from foreign-invested enterprises
(FIE)
manufacturers is a sign of the
important role that foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) play in China's export
performance.
Of China's total exports, 42.1 percent came from FIEs engaged in processing
trade, further evidence of the degree to which foreign manufacturers have
integrated China into their global manufacturing operations.
What is happening in this attractive market regarding EHS regulations? They
seem to be following a similar pattern of rapid growth and increasing
enforcement.
Japan
Japan is the world's second biggest economy with advanced technology and a
homogenous market with a population of over 100 million. As is the nature of an
industrialized country, you would face a range of products-related regulations (e.g.
extended producer responsibility including packaging, product design,
chemical restrictions, energy-efficiency requirements). In particular, Japan has
promoted 3R policy (i.e. reduction, reuse, recycling) in industrial operations.
Taiwan and South Korea
Taiwan and South Korea, both newly industrialized economies, boast markets
with populations of 22 million and 47 million respectively. In 2002, both countries made a
systematic change, namely the introduction of an extended producer responsibility system.
Like European countries, the focus of regulatory control is imposed on products
as well as industrial operations.
South-East Asia
The ASEAN region has a population of about 500 million, a total area of 4.5
million square kilometers, a combined gross domestic product of US$737 billion,
and a total trade of US$ 720 billion. Amongst the major EHS issues of
concern in the region are transboundary haze pollution, sustainable cities,
nature conservation, coastal and marine environmental pollution, and integrated
water resource management. Social responsibility with regard to child
labour and worker housing and protection is a concern for many companies
operating in the region.
Pacific - Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand are the main industrialized countries in the South
Pacific region. Both these countries are often considered model countries in
terms of their environmental and health and safety regulation.
Australia is the sixth largest nation with a recognised outstanding economy.
Administratively, it is made up of the Commonwealth federal government and six
States and three Territories. It has a population of 20 Million, most of whom
live in the cities on the east coast. The main industries are mining, industrial
and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals and steel. The
environmental and occupational health and safety areas are comprehensively
regulated and enforced nationwide however the mechanisms vary from State to
State.
New Zealand is about the shape and size of Great Britain but with only 4
million inhabitants. It is famous for its abundant diverse scenery and “Clean
and Green” image. Therefore environmental compliance is well enforced and
resource consent permits for any activities that may have a significant
environmental effect are required under the Resource Management Act 1991.
Regional and Local Authorities are responsible for administering this Act and
have formulated their own set of rules to apply in each area.
West Asia
West Asia could rightfully be considered one of the least regulated parts of
the region when it comes to EHS.
However, the lack of EHS regulation does not necessarily indicate an
unregulated haven where serious environmental offences go unpunished. Access to potable water is a serious problem in India, and has been
exacerbated by ongoing problems of groundwater contamination by arsenic and
other substances.
Pakistan is arguably one of the least regulated countries in
the Asia Pacific region, with minimal change in its EHS legislation over the
last decade. Recent introductions include the requirement for industry to
measure and report its emissions and effluents.
India
India has the fastest growing population in the world, which at already 1060
million, means it is an economy that cannot be ignored. Its key industries are
steel, engineering and machine tools manufacture, textiles, software,
electronics and communication equipment. Environmental legislation is formulated
at a federal level to be enforced by each State, while health and safety
legislation in primarily formulated at state level under framework federal Acts.
Due to potentially severe environmental effects and the international eye on
health and safety issues, enforcement of these sectors is improving.
