Relevant Legislation

• Dangerous Substances Directive (67/548/EEC)

The Council Directive on Dangerous Substances specifies the hazard classification, packaging and labelling requirements for dangerous substances supplied in the European Union. The technical content of the Directive is contained in a number of Annexes which are revised from time to time by means of Commission Directives known as Adaptations to Technical Progress.

Article 6 of 67/548/EEC requires all substances to be correctly classified on the basis of available data

• Dangerous Preparations Directive (88/379/EEC) - being replaced by Directive 1999/45/EC

The Council Directive on Dangerous Preparations specifies the hazard classification, packaging and labelling requirements for chemical preparations (mixtures or solutions composed of two or more substances). When a dangerous substance is used as part of a preparation, the producer is required to determine or calculate the content and apply the correct classification and labelling.

• Safety Data Sheet Directive (91/155/EEC) as amended by Directive 93/112/EEC and Directive 2001/58/EC

The Commission Directive on Safety Data Sheets defines the EC system for provision of specific information relating to dangerous preparations and substances.
The EU Marketing and Use Directive - 76/769/EEC as adapted and amended
Directive 76/769/EEC on the marketing and use of dangerous substances establishes harmonised rules to remove obstacles to intra-EU trade arising from restrictions in Member States applying to dangerous substances, preparations and articles. It also establishes harmonised rules where there is a consensus that these are needed to protect human health, the environment and the interests of consumers.

• Control of Major-accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances Directive (96/82/EC)

The Council Directive on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances sets out the safety measures and reporting procedures which must be put in place when dangerous substances are stored or used at an establishment.

The Directive lists the categories of dangerous substances involved and the quantity of each which must be present to trigger various procedures. It should be emphasized that the categories relate to substances with acute hazards such as those classified as "Very Toxic" and "Toxic" but not those which are classified "Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Toxic for Reproduction Cat 1 and 2".

Confusion arises because all these substances carry the same label - "Toxic, skull and crossbones", but their classifications and associated Risk Phrases are very different. Thus the Directive does not apply to BBP.

Users should also familiarise themselves with the following legislation which is applicable:

• The Pregnant Workers Directive (92/85/EEC)
• Protection of Young People at Work Directive (94/33/EC)
• Chemical Agents at Work Directive (98/24/EC)
• Product Liability Directive (85/374/EEC)

Other Useful publications:

• COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999) - A Brief Guide to the Regulations. Published by the UK Health and Safety Executive.
• The Complete Idiot's Guide to CHIP (Chemicals Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply Regulations 1994). Published by the UK Health and Safety Executive.