Work of Chemicals Regulation Policy Unit

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The Chemicals Regulation Policy Unit works with the Health and Safety Authority, other Government Departments and Agencies, and other stakeholders in developing policies concerning the regulation of chemicals at national, EU and international levels. The Unit is responsible to ensure the Irish law reflects our EU and international commitments.

The Unit is also responsible to monitor the development and effective discharge by the HSA of its remit under the Chemicals Acts 2008 & 2010 with particular reference to its central co-ordinating role under Section 8(4) of the Chemicals Act 2008 and the Section 9 provision regarding co-operation arrangements with other national authorities.

The following are the main areas of work of the Unit:

• Developing national legislation on chemicals, including that implementing EU chemicals legislation

• Managing the implementation of the Chemicals Acts 2008 & 2010 which aim at ensuring high levels of compliance and reduced administrative costs to business in implementing a number of EU Regulations. These include:

o REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Restriction of Chemicals)

o Detergents;

o Export/Import under the Rotterdam Convention.

o CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures)

• Developing policy positions in EU and International negotiations on chemicals issues.