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Switzerland notified the WTO on March 6, 2023 that it intended to amend Annexes 2 and 3 of the Ordinance on Protection against Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Chemical Ordinance; ChemO). Stakeholders have until 60 days after the notification to provide feedback.
The proposed changes are outlined in brief as follows:
Annex 2
Updating the CLP Regulations for substances and preparations to adapt to technical progress in the EU (19th and 20th ATP of the EU CLP Regulation*).
Introducing stricter criteria for classification with regard to reprotoxicity (additive principle) for borates and ethylhexanoic acid and its salts.
* In EU, the harmonised classification and labelling of hazardous substances, which are available in Table 3 of Annex VI to the CLP Regulation, is updated through an "Adaptation to Technical Progress (ATP)" which is issued yearly by the European Commission.
Annex 3
Including ten substances in the candidate list of substance of very high concern (SVHC). This listing triggers information obligations along the supply chain.
The proposed amendment is expected to be adopted on June 1, 2023, and officially implemented on July 1, 2023.
Click here to see current version of ChemO.
Background Switzerland's chemical regulation system is based on the Federal Law on Chemicals and Their Products (Chemical Act) and the Ordinance on Protection Against Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Chemical Ordinance), which has adopted EU REACH and CLP Regulations to ensure access to the EU's single market. Switzerland has regulations on the classification, labeling, and packaging of chemicals (CLP), which are similar to the EU's regulations. In addition, it also has a system for identifying and controlling substances of very high concern (SVHCs). The SVHCs are listed in the Chemicals Register, and their use is restricted or prohibited in certain applications. |
