Package of ordinances on new legislation governing chemical substances: Consultation process launched
Bern, 15.12.2003 - The Federal Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is launching the consultation process on a package of ordinances on new legislation governing chemical substances. The ordinances are intended to bring about harmonisation with EU law while maintaining or indeed improving the level of protection for humans and the environment. Existing provisions will be amended to take account of technical developments and trade barriers affecting the most important trade partners will be reduced.
The draft ordinances relate to implementation provisions for the Environmental Protection Act as well as for the new Chemical Substances Act, which are expected to enter into force together with the ordinances on 1 January 2005. The comprehensive provisions cover aspects of protection for users, as well as for employees and the environment. The Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication (DETEC) and the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) were involved in the preparation of the drafts.
The Ordinance on Chemical Substances regulates the producer’s duty of self-supervision, general provisions on the classification, labelling and packaging of chemical substances, the obligation to notify new substances and the duty to register products and preparations. The new ordinance foresees a central notification and authorisation body. At present this task rests with a variety of government agencies. Responsibility for the assessment and authorisation of chemical substances remains with the Confederation. Responsibility for implementation on site continues to rest with the cantons.
The Ordinance on Biocide Products determines the particular requirements for the authorisation of products for pest control such as disinfectants or preservatives for wood, for food or feedstocks and other materials.
To complement these two ordinances, the Ordinance on the Reduction of Risk from Chemical Substances contains special regulations for chemical substances that could present a particular risk for humans and the environment. The provisions refer to special rules on labelling, return and acceptance obligations through to bans on supply, application and production. Anyone supplying particularly hazardous substances must have special expertise, and technical permits and utilisation permits are envisaged for certain applications.
The PIC Ordinance incorporates the provisions of the Rotterdam Convention ratified by Switzerland in January 2002.
When considered as a whole the new legislation on chemical substances reinforces the protection of health and the environment and also enhances the position of Switzerland’s chemicals industry.
The consultation period lasts until the end of March 2004. During this time, position statements can be submitted to the Federal Office of Public Health, 3003 Bern. Documentation relating to the consultation can be found at www.parchem.ch or obtained from the Federal Office of Public Health (E-mail: parchem@bag.admin.ch).
Publisher
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en
