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ECHA’s Enforcement Forum prepares a project to check if suppliers have notified hazardous chemical mixtures to the poison centers.
The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Enforcement Forum is announcing that it will initiate a 6-month inspection project on poison center notifications (PCN) beginning in January 2025.
The objective of the checks is to protect human health by enforcing the requirement that suppliers of chemicals notify information about hazardous mixtures to the national authorities. The national bodies make this information available to poison centers so that they can give advice to the citizens or medical personnel in the event of an emergency.
The inspectors will check that the notification has been submitted and verify labels of mixtures and – where needed – Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The exact scope of the checks will be defined in the coming months.
In the meantime, inspections on the harmonised enforcement project (REF-13) on online sales will also start in 2025. Inspectors will check products sold online, if they contain substances restricted for use under the REACH and POPs regulations. These controls will also verify that mixtures are classified, labeled and packaged in line with the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation and will verify that the related information is provided online. Checks may also address compliance with restrictions defined in the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive.
What products require PCN?
Mixtures placed on the market and classified as hazardous on the basis of their health or physical effects. The obligation does not apply to mixtures considered hazardous only due to environmental hazards.
Who shall submit PCN?
Importers and downstream users placing hazardous mixtures on the market.
What information needs to be submitted?
Companies must provide the required information using the harmonised PCN format. The required information includes:
- Contact details
- Trade name or names of the mixture
- Packaging type and size
- Product category
- Unique formula identifier (UFI)
- Classification and labeling
- Toxicological information
- Full mixture composition information
- Information on physico-chemical properties
Conclusion:-
To achieve this, enforcement authorities must prioritize coordination, information sharing, and capacity building efforts. Collaboration between ECHA, national competent authorities, and industry stakeholders is paramount to streamline enforcement processes, address emerging challenges, and promote harmonization across member states. Furthermore, investing in training and resources for enforcement personnel is crucial to enhance their proficiency in evaluating and enforcing poison center notification requirements.
Looking ahead, sustained commitment to enforcement will be essential to uphold the integrity of the poison center notification system and uphold the overarching objectives of REACH and CLP regulations. By enforcing compliance with notification obligations, authorities can contribute to a safer and more transparent chemical landscape, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.