Taipei, Oct. 7 (CNA) Taipei is to become the first city in Taiwan to have public restrooms covered by a regulation to ensure that the facilities are safe, hygienic and friendly to users, according to the city's Department of Environmental Protection Friday.

The regulation, which takes effect Oct. 12, will apply to 13 types of public or private areas, including parks, convenience stores, gas stations, restaurant chains, tourist spots, hospitals and government agencies, the department said in a press release.

Agencies responsible for the restrooms in those areas will be required to keep the toilets clean and functional and provide basic supplies, including tissue paper, toilet seat disinfectant wipes, shelves or hooks, soap hangers or dispensers, and an alarm system for use in an emergency, it said.

The regulation allows a one-year grace period for administrative agencies to make sure the necessary equipment is installed in the restrooms, which can be extended for a second year if a request for the extension is approved by the department, the statement said.

Agencies that fail to ensure that the restrooms have the proper equipment and supplies will face a fine of between NT$2,000 (US$63) and NT$10,000, according to the statement.

(By Chen Yi-hsuan and Shih Hsiu-chuan)