Thailand is accelerating comprehensive legal reforms as it aims to join the OECD by the end of 2028. HS-TECH ENGINEERING recently detailed these ongoing efforts in an article contributed to a Japanese monthly journal specializing in chemical management.

(Reference: HS-TECH ENGINEERING Contributes Article to the Japanese Monthly Chemical Management Journal - https://hstecheng.com/info/6874109)

Most recently, the Department of Industrial Works (DIW) conducted a "Hazardous Materials Storage Facility Survey."

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The key points of this survey by Part are outlined below.

Parts 1-2 (General Info & Understanding of Chemicals): Assesses storage purposes, responsible personnel, and the adoption of GHS classifications (version 2009 or newer). Notably, it gauges operators' awareness and practical application of TRGS 510, the German Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances.

Parts 3-5 (Facilities, Safety Cabinets, & Small Quantities): Evaluates structural safety compliance (e.g., fire-rated walls, containment pits), the use of certified safety cabinets, and the specific challenges of storing small quantities of chemicals, such as space constraints and high implementation costs.

Part 6 (Mixed/Combined Storage): Investigates operators' adherence to segregation criteria for incompatible substances, referencing international guidelines like the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN RTDG) and DIW guidelines.

Part 7 (Temporary Staging Areas): Examines control measures for temporary storage areas, checking for strict time and quantity limits, boundary markings, and the availability of complete labels and SDS.

Part 8 (Fixed Stationary Tanks): Reviews safety protocols for underground and above-ground tanks, emphasizing standards like double-wall construction, 100-110% capacity secondary containment berms, and the display of NFPA 70 or UN number warning signs.

Part 9 (Suggestions for the New Handbook): Collects open feedback and identifies exactly what government assistance operators need (e.g., expert advice, practical templates) to adapt to new regulations.

Relationship to the "Modernization of Chemical Storage Standards (Harmonization with International Norms)"

The survey is a direct reflection of Thailand's momentum toward harmonizing local regulations with global norms to prepare for OECD membership by 2028. By explicitly incorporating strict international standards—such as Germany's "TRGS 510", the "UN RTDG", and the US "NFPA 70"—into the questionnaire, the DIW is actively benchmarking current domestic practices against global expectations.

Assessing the practical and financial limitations faced by operators indicates that DIW is carefully preparing a modernized regulatory framework and an updated handbook. They are attempting to bridge the gap between current local capabilities and stringent international storage norms, ensuring the upcoming legal reform is both compliant with OECD standards and practical for domestic industries.