Here you can find information and important changes in relation to chemical legislation.
23.04.2024: General ruling on the control of the Asian hornet
The notification authority for chemicals has issued a general ruling on the control of the Asian hornet. It allows pest controllers to control this hornet with biocidal products, subject to certain conditions.
The general ruling is only available in German, French and Italian.
01.02.2024: REACH, EU : five entries of substances of very high concern added to the candidate list
The European Chemicals Agency has added the following substances of very high concern (SVHC) to the candidate list:
name |
EC/list number |
CAS number |
---|---|---|
2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenol |
211-989-5 |
732-26-3 |
2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol |
221-573-5 |
3147-75-9 |
2-(dimethylamino)-2-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]butan-1-one |
438-340-0 |
119344-86-4 |
Bumetrizole |
223-445-4 |
3896-11-5 |
Oligomerisation and alkylation reaction products of 2-phenylpropene and phenol: Phenol, methylstyrenated EG-Nr. : 270-966-8 | CAS-Nr. : 68512-30-1 |
700-960-7 |
- |
Dibutyl phthalate (updated entry) |
201-557-4 |
84-74-2 |
When an article contains more than 0.1% SVHC of the candidate list, this leads to information obligations for the supplier towards recipients and consumers.
https://www.anmeldestelle.admin.ch/chem/en/home/themen/reach-clp-helpdesk/reach-helpdesk/stoffe-erzeugnisse.html
In Switzerland too, the information obligation towards recipients and consumers applies to suppliers of objects containing more than 0.1% of a substance listed in annex 3 ChemO.
https://www.anmeldestelle.admin.ch/chem/en/home/themen/pflicht-hersteller/gegenstaende.html
01.02.2024: Non-registered EINECS substances must be notified by 30.4.2024
Substances that are not registered in the EU but were already on the market in Switzerland before 1.5.2022 (EINECS substances, see EC Inventory - ECHA (europa.eu)) are considered new substances and must be notified like all other new substances from a quantity of one ton per year (as such or in preparations). For new substances that are listed in the EINECS, but for which no preliminary application for tests on vertebrates in accordance with Art. 31 ChemO was submitted by 1.11.2023, a notification must be submitted by 30.4.2024 in order to continue to be allowed to place them on the market in quantities of one ton per year.
New substances in a nutshell (admin.ch)
Guidance existing and new substances in Switzerland (PDF, 495 kB, 20.07.2023) (PDF, 495 kB, 20.07.2023)
24.01.2024: Requested use of 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl) phenol, ethoxylated: until 22.3.2024 , interested third parties may send us information on alternative substances or technologies
The firm Klöckner Pentaplast Schweiz AG, Liebefeld, has submitted a request for the continued use of 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl) phenol, ethoxylated (listed in annex 1.17 ChemRRO and in annex XIV REACH) as a component in film adhesives for blister packaging in the pharmaceuticals/tablets sector. In this context, the notification authority publishes non-confidential information on its website, on which interested third parties in possession of information on alternative substances or technologies may comment until 22.3.2024.
Federal Office of Public Health
Common notification authority for chemicals of FOEN - FOPH - SECO
CH-3003 Bern
13.09.2023: Unitar e-course on Classifying and Labelling Chemicals According to the UN GHS
Unitar (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) is holding an e-course from 18 September 2023 to 1 December 2023 on Classifying and Labelling Chemicals According to the UN GHS.
22.03.2023: Information sheet about fluoroalkysilanol compounds
The handling of fluoroalkysilanol compounds can lead to acute health problems for workers. In 2022, a few hospitalizations occurred after working with fluoroalkylsilanol compounds. Such occupational accidents should be preventable in the future. For this reason, SECO, in close cooperation with SUVA, has drawn up an information sheet.
13.10.2022: Electronic delivery of authorisation
The notification authority for chemicals offers companies the possibility to receive decisions on Transitional authorisations (biocidal products) as well as notifications (new substances) in electronic form via the secure delivery platform "IncaMail".
30.03.2022: Denaturation obligation of CBD-containing chemicals (fragrance oils)
05.02.2019 Unique Formula Identifier (UFI)
The following document describes the current situation regarding obtaining a UFI under art. 15a of the Chemicals Ordinance.
05.02.2019 Strategy for Chemical Safety
Bearing in mind the results of the evaluation of the interdepartmental implementation of the chemicals legislation carried out in 2013 the Federal Council mandated the federal authorities to prepare a common strategy. The present strategy expresses the common understanding of the federal authorities involved in the implementation of the chemicals legislation at the federal level in regard to chemical safety, and is intended to strengthen cooperation. It builds up trust externally as the objectives pursued are clearly demonstrated to stakeholders, other federal authorities and politicians. The strategy has been prepared by the five federal authorities (FOPH, FSVO, FOEN, FOAG and SECO) involved in the federal implementation of the chemicals legislation and will be put in place jointly.
Last modification 16.02.2022