4.1.3.  INTERNAL MARKET RULES - CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

‘Where can our company find an overview of safety pictograms and risk and safety phrases that need to be put on the label of chemical products?
‘What are the requirements for packaging materials used for the packing of chemical products?’
‘Which ingredients are allowed in cosmetic products?’

For an answer to these questions, look into the websites and publications presented below.

1.   Summaries of EU laws in the field of chemical products

How to use this website?

         Step 1:         Select “Index”

         Step 2:         Select “C” and then “chemical products”

         Result:                         the user will find titles and brief summaries of EU laws for various groups of chemical products

2.   Full texts of EU laws

How to use this website?

Step 1:         Try to find titles and reference numbers of EU Directives, Regulations, Decisions, etc. via the “Scadplus” website.

         Step 2:         Select “Legislation” in Eur-Lex

         Step 3:          Verify whether a consolidated version exists of the document that you want to find. A consolidated version of an EU Directive or Regulation means that this version consists of a text with all amendments to an original text integrated in one document.

                How to proceed?
                               
                                Select “Consolidated legislation” followed by “Chronological index”.

                                Select the appropriate year, e.g. “1967”.

                                                              
                                Find a directive, e.g. 67/548, by scrolling down in the list till the document “1967L0548” can be selected. If it concerns a Regulation, the letter “R” will be in the middle of this codification number and a letter “D” in case of a Decision”.

                                Select “Preamble – consolidated provisions”

                                Finally, you may read this document and/or send it to your e-mail address.

         Step 4:          In case no consolidated version is available, the reader can find:

a) the original text of a Directive, Regulation or Decision via “Search by document number”. Put the year (e.g. “1967”) in the left box and the Document number (e.g. “548”) in the right box;

                                b) all amendments to a Directive, Regulation or Decision under “More info”.

3.   EU policy in the field of chemical products

Select  at the ‘Index A to Z’ the item ‘Chemicals’.

Companies can consult here following web pages of DG Enterprise and Industry at the European Commission in order to find guidance documents on EU laws for specific groups of chemical products.

1. Dangerous substances and preparations

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/chemicals/legislation/dangerous/index_en.htm

Specific information about the new EU chemicals legisaltion REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals)
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/reach/index_en.htm

2. Fertlizers

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/chemicals/legislation/fertilizers/index_en.htm

3.    Detergents
        http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/chemicals/legislation/detergents/index_en.htm

        EU policy in the field of cosmetics:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cosmetics/index_en.htm

CosIng is a specific database with information on cosmetic ingredients contained in the Cosmetics Directive: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cosmetics/cosing/

       
        EU policy in the field of pharmaceuticals
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/pharmaceuticals/index_en.htm

4.   Classification and labelling of chemical products
 

Manufacturers and wholesalers can consult this website in order to find out all following information about chemical products:

• classification nrs. (EC or EINECS No., CAS No.);
• indication of danger and symbol(s);
• Risk phrases  (R-phrases);
• Safety phrases  (S-phrases);
• specific concentration limits;
• Seveso Data.

How to use this website?

                Step 1:   Select “ESIS” from the menu (ESIS = European Chemical Substances Information System)

                Step 2:   Select a chemical substance via its EINECS, ELINCS, NLP or CAS no.
                               or via its molecular formula or its substance name (e.g. “benzene”)

                Step 3:   consult the list of classification and labelling information that relates to this substance

This search results for the product “BENZENE” in following information.

1) Classification nrs. (EC or EINECS No., CAS No.);

EC no.:   200-753-7
CAS no.: 71-43-2
Substance name: Benzene

2) Indication of danger and symbol(s);

3)   Risk phrases  (R-phrases);

R45: May cause cancer
R46: May cause heritable genetic damage
R11: Highly flammable
R36/38: Irritating to eyes and skin
R48/23/24/25: Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed

4)    Safety phrases  (S-phrases);

S53: Avoid exposure – obtain special instructions before use
S45: In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label where possible)

Ellis Publications updates every 6 months following CDs :

1) Dangerous Substances CD
2) Cosmetics CD
3) Euro Transport CD

Contents

1) DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES CD

• Directive 67/548/EEC – the consolidated text, including all its Annexes, merged with the EINECS and ELINCS inventories;

• All current and proposed legislation on:

               
                      a)      the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances and preparations;

                      b)      restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations;

                      c)      major accident hazards of industrial activities (SEVESO) and                the COMAH directive;
                     
                      d)      protection of workers from chemical agents;

                      e)      import and export of chemical agents.

• All listed chemical substances, in 8 languages, retrievable by Name, Classification, CAS, EC or Index number

• Risk assessment database – the technical guidance document in support of Directive 93/67/EEC on risk assessment for new notified substances and Regulation 1488/94 on risk assessment for existing substances.

2) COSMETICS CD

This CD incorporates all EU legislation on the labelling and packaging of cosmetic products, including the consolidated text of Directive 76/768/EEC.

It contains a list of substances that cannot be included in the composition of cosmetic products plus lists of colourings, preservatives and UV filters that are permitted. An ingredient’s functions, mandatory restrictions, conditions of use and warnings can be easily retrieved by INCI, Ph. Eur., INN, IUPAC or chemical name, CAS or EINECS/ELINCS number. It also includes legislation on the testing of animals and information on the Scientific Committee.

3) EURO TRANSPORT CD

This module covers safety regulations for the transport of dangerous goods by road, rail, inland waterway and sea. It contains all current and proposed legislation with fully searchable tables and annexes. It also covers legislation on safety advisers and safety checks, Multilateral Agreements and details on Competent Authorities for the application of ADR.