China's State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) said Thursday it would step up the inspections of purchases of dangerous chemicals because of security concerns ahead of the National Day on Oct. 1.

The inspections, effective through Oct. 9, involve establishing a register to guard against potential dangers before and during celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China.

Under the regulation, company and individual buyers of dangerous chemicals would be required to provide vendors with copies of company licenses or personal identity cards.

Vendors would be responsible for verifying buyers' documentation.

They will have to make a detailed record of the purchases, including company and individual buyers' names, addresses, contact information and identity card numbers.

Information such as date of purchases, amount and proposed use of the purchased chemicals will also be required.

The government agency said buyers would have to obtain permits from the Ministry of Public Security to buy dangerous or poisonous chemicals.

A list of the key dangerous chemicals, including perchloric, nitric and sulphuric acids, has been issued by the SAWS.

The administration is taking similar measures in regard to retail sales of refined oil and gasoline products.

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2009)