Industry Responsibilities
The primary suppliers of chemicals—producers, manufacturers, importers—are usually the main industry actors targeted by legislation. The amount of responsibilities prescribed to industry will depend on a country’s approach to managing chemicals. Basic obligations may include:
- Gathering knowledge and, if necessary, generating new knowledge on chemical properties, hazards and risks;
- Classifying and labelling their chemicals in accordance with the GHS;
- Disseminating information on hazardous properties of chemicals and on safe handling procedures, including providing Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) to professional users;
- Substituting for safer chemicals or processes whenever possible;
- Ensuring that no banned substances are produced, imported or placed on the market; and
- Ensuring the safe use of chemicals and their storage, transport and appropriate disposal.
Relevant tools
Below is a list of tools relevant for implementing this topic :
- UNEP: Guidance on the Development of Legal and Institutional Infrastructures for Sound Management of Chemicals and Measures for Recovering Costs of National Administration (LIRA-Guidance) (2015)
- UNEP : National Authority for Chemicals Control: Structure and Funding (2019)
- Case study of Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan
- Case study of the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS)