EU chemicals legislation - REACH

On 1 June 2007, Title IV of the new chemicals REACH regulation - Information in the supply chain came into force.

Applicable Swedish rules in this area were contained in Chapter 4 of the Swedish Chemicals Agency's (KemI) Chemical Products and Biotechnical Organisms Regulations (KIFS 2008:2). The regulations have been revised and some provisions repealed.  

Read more about REACH. 

National co-operation

KemI's inspectors co-operate with county administrations, municipal health and environmental boards, the Swedish Rescue Services Agency and the Swedish Work Environment Authority. Municipal inspectors are contacted by KemI before inspections are carried out.

International co-operation

Also in countries outside the EU, chemicals legislation in some respects corresponds to EU regulations, for example in the case of classification and labelling rules.

Over 80 percent of the companies for which KemI has supervisory responsibility are importers. This often means that head offices, which hold the competence to carry out product information, are not situated in Sweden.

Co-operation is carried out with other EU supervisory authorities in different inspection projects within the network CLEEN (Chemical Legislation European Enforcement Network).

KemI inspectors have contributed with competence in establishing chemicals control in EU accession countries.

Inspectors from the Nordic countries meet once a year to exchange experience and present reports on inspection activities. In 2004 and 2005, manufacturers and importers of artists paints were inspected.