Little Pro on 2017-12-04
Currently, there is no chemical registration or notification requirement in South Africa. As South Africa is working on its new draft national chemical policy, we would like to give you a brief introduction to how industrial chemicals are currently regulated in South Africa and how to comply with industrial chemical regulations in South Africa.
In South Africa, industrial chemicals are mainly controlled by the following regulations:
Regulation | Authority & Requirement |
---|---|
National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No.107 of 1998) |
|
Hazardous Substances Act, 1973 (Act No.15 of 1973) |
|
Occupational Health and Safety Act No.85 of 1993 |
|
The National Envirommental Management Act authorizes DEA to prohibit or control certain substances or chemicals that pose threat to the environment and human health. So far, only Asbestos and PCBs are currently prohibited by the following 2 subsidiary regulations under the Act.
Hazardous Substances Act is probably the most important chemical regulation in South Africa. It controls the production, import, use, handling and disposal of hazardous substances. Under the Act, hazardous substances are defined as substances that are toxic, corrosive, irritant, strongly sensitising, flammable and pressure generating under certain circumstances and may injure, cause ill-health or even death in humans.
Hazardous substances are classified into 4 groups (see below). Anyone who intends to sell or distribute group I hazardous substances must apply for a license from health authority first.
The list of group IA hazardous substances is listed below.
Please note that mixtures containing those listed hazardous substances are also considered as hazardous substances. Medicinal products and some fertilizers are excluded.
The Hazardous Chemical Substances Regulations of the OSHA requires employers to comply with occupational exposure limits and communicate chemical hazard info to workers through free safety data sheets that are compliant with ISO 11014 or relevant national standards.
Read more: GHS Implementation in South Africa
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Tags: Topics - South Africa, REACH-like Regulation and Registration