Published on 5 February 2019

Chemicals Legislation

The chemicals legislation is based on various acts and ordinances. It is largely harmonised with the regulations of the European Union, but is developed and implemented in an autonomous manner.

The underlying laws

The following laws provide a framework for the chemicals legislation:

Federal Act on Protection against Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Chemicals Act, ChemA)

Federal Act on the Protection of the Environment (Environmental Protection Act, EPA)

Additional laws are also taken into account:

Bundesgesetz über die technischen Handelshemmnisse (THG)

Federal Act on the Protection of Waters (Waters Protection Act, WPA)

Federal Act on Non-Human Gene Technology (Gene Technology Act, GTA)

Tierschutzgesetz (TSchG)

Federal Act on Foodstuffs and Utility Articles (Foodstuffs Act, FSA)

Ordinances of the Federal Council

The general provisions are settled in ordinances of the Federal Council

Chemicals Ordinance

Ordinance on Biocidal Products

Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance

Ordinance on Good Laboratory Practice (OGLP)

Verordnung über Gebühren für den Bundesvollzug der Chemikaliengesetzgebung (Chemikaliengebührenverordnung ChemGebV)

Ordinance on the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Chemicals in International Trade (PIC Ordinance, ChemPICO)

Departmental ordinances of the FDHA and the DETEC

Additional specific provisions are specified in the ordinances of the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) and the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC).