Traditional Chinese Medicine in Malaysia: A Brief Historical Overview of Laws and Regulations

Although traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been a part of the Malaya and the Malaysia people’s method of maintaining health and well-being for many centuries,it was never been enrolled in the public health-care system.However,the rising cost of Western drugs and the increasing number of people frequenting TCM has driven the government to search for cheaper options and to look into its safe practice.In 1992,the government mandated all TCM herbal products to be registered with the National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau.All TCM products sold in Malaysia are now Good Manufacturing Practice certified.The government has also established a Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division within the Ministry of Health.Between 2008 and 2014,a traditional and complementary medicine unit was set up in major hospitals in all states.TCM is one of the main services offered by the unit.In 2016,the government enacted the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act to regulate the TCM practice.Subsequently,a 10-vear blueprint has been drawn to support the development of all traditional and complementary medicines in Malaysia.This article aims to provide a brief overview on the regulatory development of TCM in Malaysia.

The Latest Status and Progress of Domestic and Foreign Regulations on Cosmetic Efficacy Claims

The supervision and administration of cosmetics and its two supporting documents related to efficacy,cosmetics classification rules and classification catalogue and evaluation standard of cosmetic efficacy claims,have been successively introduced and implemented,making China’s cosmetics industry officially enter the era of efficacy evaluation.In the time window when the new era is coming,the definitions of cosmetics in China and other countries are compared.The latest status and progress of regulations on cosmetic efficacy claims in China and other countries are summarized,and the standard methods or guidance of cosmetic efficacy evaluation at home and abroad are introduced.The enlightenment from the supervision systems of cosmetic efficacy in other cosmetic consumer markets around the world are discussed.In addition,the opportunities and challenges for cosmetic enterprises under the background of cosmetic law reform in China are also prospected.

Implications of Declining Ground Water and Water Quality in the US Southeastern Coastal Plain Ecoregion and Areawide Environmental Impact Statement Required for Mining in the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin—Part 1

Karst aquifers occur worldwide and exhibit groundwater flow responses that differ considerably from aquifers lacking fractures, bedding planes, and other karst conduits where significant and rapid groundwater flow can occur. The regional, karst Floridan aquifer system underlies the United States (US) Southeastern Coastal Plain Physiographic Region and exhibits hydrologic interconnections with overlying surficial aquifers and throughout other zones of the aquifer system, as is characteristic of other karst aquifer systems. Anthropogenic groundwater declines in this regional karst aquifer system have been documented in published literature for decades, but the impacts of those declines in this coastal plain region and the embedded ecosystems that provide essential and critical habitat for native, endemic, and federally endangered and threatened species have not been considered previously. Those anthropogenic groundwater declines reduce surfacewater levels and flows due to the capture of both groundwater and overland flow of surfacewater, resulting in induced recharge through semi-confining zones and interbasin flow through fractures and other karst conduits. This case study identifies examples from the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin study area and comparison areas of how those declines result in loss of historic base flow to surface waters and other capture of surface waters, ultimately increasing saltwater intrusion. Those results alter and degrade the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters, in violation of the US Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972. Historic groundwater declines from mining and other anthropogenic groundwater withdrawals from this regional karst aquifer system already threaten the survival and recovery of federally endangered and threatened species, as well as existing and proposed critical habitat for those species within this regional extent, in violation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. This case study and its companion publication (Part 2) appear to be the first to provide scientific support for this regional karst aquifer system as the unifying factor in habitat responses to irreversible groundwater impacts on aquatic and marine ecosystems. These adverse impacts strongly suggest that the extent of the regional Floridan aquifer system should be designated as the Southeastern Coastal Plain Ecoregion for the purpose of managing natural resources. Mining activities continue to expand in our study area, which is the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. Despite that fact, no comprehensive Areawide Environmental Impact Statement (AEIS), similar to the AEIS required for phosphate mining within the Central Florida Phosphate District (CFPD) approximately a decade ago has been conducted for any of the numerous mining projects that are occurring and are proposed within the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. This case study also provides examples of why a comprehensive AEIS is essential to consider all of the adverse direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of those mining activities to the CWA, the ESA, and the irreversible losses to local economies, because federal agencies responsible for considering those adverse impacts rely on public comments to identify those adverse impacts. The mining activities authorized throughout the regional Floridan aquifer system under Category 44 Nationwide Permits (NWP) result in the same type of adverse impacts as the mining activities evaluated under Individual Permits in that region. Therefore, those Category 44 NWP mining activities also should be required to obtain Individual Permits and be evaluated under an AEIS in the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin. This case study also describes how Florida’s assumption of the CWA Section 404 regulatory authority in 2020 severs four sub-basins within the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin study area at the state line between Florida and Georgia.

Post-mining policies and practices in the Eastern USA coal region

Surface coal mines prior to 1950 in the USA were generally left without any reclamation.As government regulations advanced since then,mine operators were required to backfill the area and plant grasses or trees.After the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act(SMCRA)was passed in 1977 in the USA,mine operators were required to conduct pre-mining analyses of the site and to designate a land use that could be achieved after mining.Successful reclamation,as needed to satisfy today’s societal demands,requires engineering,design,and purposeful reconstruction of the full mining disturbance,not just its surface,and control of waters leaving the mine site.Effective reclamation on modern American coal mines is fully integrated with the mining operation.A suitable and effective postmining land use that is sustainable for future generations is crucial to the long-term success and profitability of the mining business and to the future economic benefits of the landowner.Accepted post-mining land uses in the USA are:(1)prime farmland,(2)hay land and pasture,(3)biofuel crops,(4)forestry,(5)wildlife habitat,and(6)building site development.Policies and regulations for each post-mining land use were developed and practices to achieve successful and sustainable land uses were established.Post-mining conditions should provide ecosystem services and produce lands capable of supporting societal needs in the future.

Implications of Declining Ground Water and Water Quality in the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin for Survival and Recovery of Federally Endangered and Threatened Marine and Aquatic Species and Critical Habitat in the US Southeastern Coastal Plain Ecoregion—Part 2

The Floridan aquifer system underlies the United States (US) Southeastern Coastal Plain Physiographic Region. Anthropogenic groundwater declines in that regional karst aquifer system, via semi-confining zones, have been documented in published literature for decades. These anthropogenic groundwater declines reduce surfacewater levels and flows, which increases saltwater intrusion and alters the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters, in violation of the US Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972. Historic groundwater declines from mining and other anthropogenic groundwater withdrawals from this regional karst aquifer system already threaten the survival and recovery of marine and aquatic federally endangered and threatened species, as well as existing and proposed critical habitat for those species within the Southeastern Coastal Plain Ecoregion. Examples of marine and aquatic species and their designated critical habitat adversely affected by groundwater declines in the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin of this ecoregion include the federally endangered south Atlantic Distinct Population Segments (DPS) of the Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus), shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum), and oval pigtoe mussel (Pleurobema pyriforme), as well as the federally threatened Gulf subspecies of the Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) and Suwannee moccasinshell (Medionidus walkeri). In 2020, rules were adopted by two federal agencies allowing significant further degradation of the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters that are essential for maintaining federally listed species and their habitat in this Ecoregion. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has acknowledged the harm to these species and critical habitat from mining and additional groundwater alterations, but no comprehensive Areawide Environmental Impact Statement (AEIS), similar to the AEIS required for mining within the Peace River Basin, has been conducted for any of the numerous mining projects that are expanding and proposed within the Greater Okefenokee Swamp Basin to evaluate all indirect and cumulative adverse impacts to all federally listed species.

Traditional Chinese Medicine:How Is It An Invaluable Intangible Cultural Heritage

This article deals with the concept of intangible culture heritage and the reasons why traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)should be specially preserved.The potential value of TCM and the existing measures for carrying on the cultural heritage adopted by China are also explored in the article.

Recommendations for Development of Stock Enhancement Fishery in China

In 2011,China put the stock enhancement fishery in the same place as aquaculture,fishing,aquatic product processing and circulation industry,and recreational fishery,i. e. one of the five pillar industries of fishery economy. Developing the stock enhancement fishery is a strategic measure for restoring and protecting fishery resources,expanding fishery,replacement environment cost,and promoting sustainable development of fishery. At present,cultivation and development of the new rising industry,the stock enhancement fishery,has certain comparative edge,excellent economic foundation and broad development space in China.

Study on Legal Issues of Ocean Fishing in China

“The 21st century is the century of the ocean.”In recent years,China has paid more and more attention to the promotion and development of the ma­rine industry,especially the ocean fishery has brought immeasurable eco­nomic benefits to China.The development of the marine field is becoming more and more important in the national political,economic and cultural development.All coastal countries have included marine development in their national development strategies and continuously improved their ma­rine legislation under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the law of the sea.China’s pelagic fishing began in 1985,but because Chi­na’s pelagic fishing started too late,after the entry into force of the United Nations Convention on the law of the sea at the end of 1994,nearly 36%of the richest high seas on earth became the exclusive economic zone of coastal countries,and the development space of China’s pelagic fishing has become very limited.After just more than 30 years of development,***.However,before that,China’s pelagic fishing was still subject to the dual norms of international conventions and domestic laws,and China had not yet formulated a special law on pelagic fishing,and there were still many deficiencies in the legal system norms of pelagic fishing.Therefore,the biggest problem facing China’s pelagic fishery is how to better develop the marine industry under the system of laws and regulations,drive the coordi­nated economic development,provide legal guidance and help for pelagic fishermen,and provide solid technical support for building a marine power with Chinese characteristics.

An automated management system for the community health service in China

Objective:To explore a useful tool for health administrative departments to manage the com-munity health service(CHS).Methods:On the basis of existing health laws and regulations in China,we describe the design of an automated management system for the CHS with a supervision system and an evaluation system using computer technology and corresponding design software.Results:Four changes to the management of the CHS were made:repetitive work became automated,complicated work became simplified,nonregular services decreased,and obscure in-structions became clear and specific.Conclusion:The automated management system will promote the development of CHS man-agement.