Chemicals control in Finland
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Chemicals Product Control moves to Tukes on 1st January 2011
Chemicals Product Control will be centralized in Safety Technology Authority, which will be renamed as the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes).
The majority of information on chemicals at www.environment.fi will be transferred to www.tukes.fi/chemicals on 3rd January 2011. Information on International Chemicals Conventions (POP, PIC, ozone depleting substances, fluorinated greenhouse gases) and hazardous substances in the environment will remain at www.environment.fi.
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The Finnish Chemicals legislation is in accordance with the EC chemicals legislation.
Choosing the proper chemicals
Making the proper choices when considering which chemicals to use can prevent damage to the environment. Finnish chemicals legislation obliges the users of chemicals to assess whether the use of harmful chemicals could be avoided by replacing them with other chemicals, or by using other methods.
Manufacturers or distributors of chemicals hazardous to the environment or health must label their products accordingly. Since 2002 this labelling obligation has also covered in preparations.
European Chemicals regulation REACH
The new EU regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), which came into force on 1.6.07, compels businesses to assess the risks of any chemicals they market through new procedures, and also obliges them to provide guidelines about their safe use.
CLP Regulation
The new 'CLP' Regulation - Regulation (EC) of the European Parlament and of the Council on classification, labelling and packaning of substances and mixtures, entered into force on 20th January 2009. CLP Regulation will amend and eventually repeal the existing directives for substances and preparations.
Environmental permits
Environmental permits are required wherever harmful substances may enter the air, water bodies, municipal wastewater collection systems or waste management systems. In their applications for environmental permits, businesses must provide sufficient information about how they use chemicals, as well as details of any emissions and their environmental impacts. The permit procedure allows the authorities to set suitable limits on the use of harmful substances.
Authorisation of chemicals
Product authorisation procedures aim to ensure that products containing chemicals are safe and appropriate before they are marketed and used in Finland. Authorisation is required for products that contain chemicals associated with specific risks to health or the environment.
Industrial processes and transportation
Permits for the handling and storage of hazardous chemicals in Finland are issued by the Safety Technology Authority (TUKES) and the municipal authorities. Issues related to the transportation of hazardous chemicals are administered by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
Certification requirements for personel handling refrigerants
In Finland personel involved in installation, maintenance or servicing of equipment containing ozone depleting substances or fluorinated greenhouse gases (HFC and PFC compounds) must be certified. Companies have to provide a formal notification to Safety Technology Authority (TUKES) before commencing refrigerant activities. List of qualified personel is available at TUKES web page.
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