1. 1. European Commission GHS Implementation Status in the European Community FORUM V Budapest UNITAR Side event 27 September 2006 Wolfgang Hehn European Commission Enterprise Directorate–General

2. 2. EU 25 Member states 2 Acceding countries 2 Candidate countries more than 20 languages

3. 3. Current EU System The current EU system on classification, packaging and labelling of chemicals has been developed over the last 40 years and is set out in three key instruments  the Dangerous Substances Directive (67/548/EEC);  the Dangerous Preparations (i.e. mixtures of chemicals) Directive (1999/45/EC);  the Safety Data Sheet Directive (91/155/EEC) Many other pieces of legislation use and refer to classification of substances and preparations

4. 4. GHS / EU current system – similar framework – different elements The GHS is similar to the current EU system:  It provides one single system for hazard classification and labelling  It covers approximately the same hazards  It often uses similar or equal classification criteria  It sets up an equivalent system of hazard communication The GHS is different to the current EU system:  It sets criteria for both transport and supply and use  It defines further hazard classes and categories  It uses partly other criteria and other cut-offs  It uses a different approach for mixtures  It changes some labelling elements

5. 5. GHS – EU Implementation Issues Responsibilities for the preparation of legislation within Commission  Supply and use of dangerous substances and preparations  Shared responsible for drafting the legislative proposal DG ENTERPRISE and ENVIRONMENT with support of the JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE  Transport  DG TREN responsible for implementing in transport, in the framework of the Directives on the transport of Dangerous Goods, to be updated in 2007 and 2009, based on UN/ECE Model Regulation etc

6. 6. GHS – EU Implementation Issues Envisaged Regulation covering Supply and Use Scope  Regulation for C&L of substances and mixtures  All areas except transport but including C&L of Plant Protection Products and Biocides Regulatory Instrument  Self standing regulation based on Art. 95 of the EU Treaty (internal market)

7. 7. GHS – Timing of Implementation  Transitional period  For workability reason phased approach needed  First all substances then mixtures  3 years for substances in line with the notification requirements to the C&L Inventory under REACH  Plus additional 4/5 years for mixtures  Dual system - existing C&L system and GHS system  Repeal of Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC at the end of the transitional period

8. 8. GHS – Public Internet Consultation on draft legislative proposal  Consultation 21 August till 21 October 2006 http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/reach/ghs_consultation_en.htm  Questionnaire to stakeholders on draft proposal  Consultation documents:  Draft regulation implementing the GHS  Consultant‘s analysis of the impact of the adoption of the GHS  Note on optimal length of the transitional period  Analysis of the potential effects on EU downstream legislation  Background documents:  Technical support for the preparation of the Annexes  Glossary

9. 9. GHS – Commission work plan  Public internet consultation 21 Aug. – 21 Oct. 2006  Inter-Service Consultation app. Nov. 2006  Commission formal proposal app. late 2006  Agreement in Parliament and Council 2007?

10. 10. European Commission