Chemicals
Recently added legislation
2022
The Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022
Amend the regulations relating to persistent organic pollutants.
2020
Reinstate the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs as the competent authority for Northern Ireland with responsibility in relation to class 7 goods (radioactive) by road under the European Agreement concerning International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (known as the ADR Treaty).
Amend 2012/3032 to include products outside the scope of the original regulations and add four additional phthalates to the list of restricted substances.
2019
An amendment to Annex V to the REACH Regulation 1907/2006 to include digestate in the list of materials exempted from the obligation of registration.
Regulation (EU) 2019/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors, amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 98/2013
Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019 SR 111
Amends 2010/160 in order to transpose, in part, in Northern Ireland, the radiological emergency preparedness and response requirements contained in the Euratom Basic Safety Standards Directive (2013/59/Euratom) in relation to the transport of radioactive materials in the UK by road, rail and inland waterway.
2018
An amendment to Annexes I, III, and VI to XII to the EU REACH Regulation 1907/2006/EC 19619 to clarify and specify registration duties and obligations in relation to nanomaterials, as nanoforms may have specific toxological profiles and exposure patterns warranting specific risk assessment and risk management measures.
This page provides links to the full text of key pieces of Chemicals environmental legislation that may affect your business in Northern Ireland. The websites hosting the legislation may list amendments separately.
If you are setting up an environmental management system (EMS) for your business, you can use this list to start compiling your legal register. Your legal adviser or environmental consultant will be able to tell you if other environmental legislation applies to your specific business.
Environmental management systems and environmental reports
Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008 SI 2164
Sets out requirements for designing and labelling batteries and accumulators (rechargeable batteries) and battery-powered electrical and electronic equipment, to make it easier to recycle waste batteries.
The CLP Regulation adopts an international chemicals hazard classification and labelling system for the supply of substances and mixtures in the EU. The CLP Regulation came into force in 2009. It replaces the existing European system and after a transitional period.
The majority of the amendments arise from changes to the legislation at European level that regulates the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals.
Reinstate the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs as the competent authority for Northern Ireland with responsibility in relation to class 7 goods (radioactive) by road under the European Agreement concerning International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (known as the ADR Treaty).
Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1998 SR 131
Sets out rules on transport of dangerous goods by rail (largely revoked by 2006/173).
Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 SR 248
Sets out rules on transporting dangerous goods by road, including the labelling of containers, tanks and vehicles used, and rules for loading and unloading.
Revoke and replace 2006 SR 173. These regulations regulate the carrying of dangerous goods by road, rail and inland waterways, and the use of pressurised cylinders, drums and other equipment.
Amends 2010/160 to help implement EU Directive 2010/35 on transportable pressure equipment. Updates technical provisions, conformity requirements and responsibilities of operators, in order to improve safety and ensure free movement of transportable pressure equipment.
Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019 SR 111
Amends 2010/160 in order to transpose, in part, in Northern Ireland, the radiological emergency preparedness and response requirements contained in the Euratom Basic Safety Standards Directive (2013/59/Euratom) in relation to the transport of radioactive materials in the UK by road, rail and inland waterway.
Classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures EC regulation 1272/2008
Requires manufacturers, importers and users to follow UN criteria for classifying, labelling and packaging hazardous substances and mixtures.
Control of Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 SR 179
Revoke and replace 2007 and 2010 regulations, with some modifications, so that there is a consolidated set of Asbestos Regulations. The regulations ban the import, supply and new use of asbestos. Requires employers to assess risks and limit employees’ exposure. Also requires employers to have the correct licence before working with asbestos and to ensure that their employees have proper training. The main changes relate to the scope of the exemption set out in Directive 2009/148/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 SI 2677
Requires employers to assess the risks of, prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances and monitor employees' exposure. Also places duties on employees concerning their own protection from such exposure.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 SR 34
Requires employers to assess risks, prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances, and monitor employees' exposure.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 SR 288
Amends 2003/34 to add a definition of mutagen and include 17 polychlorodibenzodioxins and polychlorodibenzofurans to the list of substances defined as carcinogens.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 SR 165
Amends 2003/288 with drafting changes.
Control of Major Accidents Hazards Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 SR 93
Establishes procedures to prevent major accident hazards involving dangerous substances.
Control of Major Accident Hazards (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 SR 305
Amends 2000/93 with minor changes to requirements for accident plans and policies.
Control of Major Accident Hazards (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014/74
Amends the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 by adding heavy fuel oils to the list of named substances in Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the 2000 Regulations. The effect of this is that where heavy fuel oils are present in a quantity equal to, or exceeding 2,500 tonnes becomes subject to the 2000 Regulations and where heavy fuel oils are present in a quantity equal to, or exceeding 25,000 tonnes becomes subject to additional requirements as set out in regulations 3(1) of the 2000 Regulations.
Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Sites) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992 SR 71
Requires businesses to mark their site and notify the fire authority and Health and Safety Executive in Northern Ireland of any site containing over 25 tonnes of dangerous substances.
Amends the principal Regulations by removing the exemption relating to paraffin used as a fuel in decorative lamps.
Detergents regulations 2010 SI 740
Enforces EU Regulation 648/2004. Introduces requirements for the composition and labelling of detergents. Introduces a ban from 1 January 2015 on sale of domestic laundry cleaning products containing inorganic phosphates.
An amendment to Annexes I, III, and VI to XII to the EU REACH Regulation 1907/2006/EC 19619 to clarify and specify registration duties and obligations in relation to nanomaterials, as nanoforms may have specific toxological profiles and exposure patterns warranting specific risk assessment and risk management measures.
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An amendment to Annex V to the REACH Regulation 1907/2006 to include digestate in the list of materials exempted from the obligation of registration.
Regulation (EU) 2019/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors, amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 98/2013
EU Regulation on Detergents 648/2004
Requires that detergents and cleaning products meet minimum levels of biodegradability.
EU Regulation on the export and import of hazardous chemicals 2012/649
Introduces more stringent provisions on the import and export of dangerous chemicals in order to give greater protection to human health and the environment.
EU Regulation on ozone depleting substances 1005/2009
Allows governments to impose new requirements on handling, use, import, export, recovery, recycling, reclaiming, destruction and trading of listed substances. Sets out plan to phase out production, trade and use of HCFCs.
EU Regulation 744/2010 amending EU Regulation 1005/2009 on ozone depleting substances
Amends 1005/2009 by banning the use of halons in firefighting equipment except for military and aviation uses.
EU Regulation 850/2004 on Persistent Organic Pollutants
Sets out controls on producing and using dangerous pesticides, industrial chemicals and chemical by-products.
EU Regulation 756/2010 amending EU Regulation 850/2004 on persistent organic pollutants
Amends 850/2004 (Annexes IV and V) by adding a further nine polluting substances whose production and use has to be controlled.
EU Regulation 757/2010 amending EU Regulation 850/2004 on persistent organic pollutants
Amends 850/2004 (Annexes I and III) by adding a further nine polluting substances whose production and use has to be controlled.
EU Regulation 1907/2006 on Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals
Requires manufacturers and importers of chemicals to evaluate and manage risks arising from their use, and prove that chemicals placed on the market are safe.
REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008 SI 2852
Implement the enforcement regime for REACH by allocating the authorities the powers they need. Set the offences and penalties for contraventions of REACH requirements.
Amends 1907/2006 by replacing Annexes IV and V with new versions covering exemptions from the obligation to register substances, mixtures or articles.
Amends 1907/2006 by replacing Annexes IV and V with new versions covering exemptions from the obligation to register substances, mixtures or articles.
Amends 1907/2006 by adding criteria to Annex XVII for restricting dichloromethane, lamp oils and grill lighter fluids and organstannic compounds.
Amends 1907/2006 to change the criteria for compiling safety data sheets from 1 December 2010 for substances and 1June 2015 for mixtures.
Amends 1907/2006 Annex XIV by adding six substances that are not to be placed on the market or used after a certain date, unless an authorisation has been granted.
Amends 1907/2006 by replacing Annex XIII relating to the identification of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances and very persistent and very bioaccumulative substances.
Amends 1907/2006 by adding criteria to Annex XVII for controlling the use of cadmium in plastics, paints, brazing fillers and jewellery.
Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) 1985 (including updates)
Sets up a licensing system for depositing substances in the sea, and incinerating at sea. Also provides a legal framework for controlling pesticides.
Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 SR 425
Sets out registration and licensing requirements for manufacturing and storing explosives.
Marketing and Use of Dangerous Substances Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 SR 76
Sets out restrictions on the marketing and use of blue colourants.
Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulations 2007 SI 3106
Establishes competent authorities to enforce 2004/850 and lay down offences and penalties.
Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 SR 101
Sets out measures to control major accident hazards involving dangerous substances.
Planning (Control of Major-Accident Hazards) Regulations Northern Ireland 2009 SR 399
Increases the range of dangerous substances that you need consent for to store or process; puts tighter controls on the amounts allowed before consent must be obtained.
Planning (Hazardous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 SR 329
Corrects an error in 2009/399. Provides transitional provisions for operators affected.
Amend 2012/3032 to include products outside the scope of the original regulations and add four additional phthalates to the list of restricted substances.
Replaces 2008/37; sets out the restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment; sets out the prohibitions and obligations that apply to manufacturers, their representatives, importers and distributors. Does not affect liability under 2008/37 for offences committed before 2 January 2013.
Sets out duties of operators of road tankers, tank containers and vehicles carrying tank containers transporting dangerous substances.
Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 SR 272
Makes it an offence to use heavy fuel oil or gas oil containing more than the prescribed amount of sulphur.
Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 SR 147
Amends the Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 in order to implement amendments to Directive 1999/32/EC, relating to a reduction in the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels, with regard to marine fuels.
Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009 SI 890
Establishes a legal framework and schemes for collecting, treating and recycling portable, industrial and vehicle batteries. Applies to all types of batteries except when used for military and space equipment.
Waste Batteries and Accumulators (Charges) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 SR 157
Sets charges for small producers, battery compliance schemes, battery treatment operators and battery exporters to pay to the Department of the Environment under the Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009.
Waste Batteries and Accumulators (Treatment and Disposal) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 SR 159
Sets out exemptions from waste management licensing for storing waste batteries. Amends Landfill Regulations (NI) 2003 and Pollution Prevention and Control (Regulations) (NI) 2003/46 to ban automotive and industrial batteries from landfill.