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EDEXIM (European Database of EXport and IMport of certain dangerous chemicals)
New EU Regulation for export and import of dangerous chemicals enters into force
The new Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation (EU) enters into force on 16th August 2012, for implementation by 1st March 2014
New rules concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals will be introduced on 16th August 2012, when Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4th July 2012 will enter into force, to be implemented by 1st March 2014.
The Rotterdam Convention promotes shared responsibilities and cooperative efforts in the international movement of hazardous chemicals and pesticides. It aims to protect both human health, including consumers and workers, and the environment against potentially harmful impacts from certain hazardous chemicals and to contribute to their environmentally sound use. It is currently implemented in the European Union by the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation (EC) 689/2008 concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals.
The new Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 is more stringently protective of human health and the environment. It is consistent with other relevant Union legislations, such as Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning REACH and establishing ECHA and Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures. In addition, it adopts the Globally Harmonised System on the classification and labelling of chemicals. Particular attention is also given to manage an adequate shelf-life of exported chemicals and appropriate storage conditions so that they may be used effectively and safely.
For many years, the Joint Research Centre has been providing scientific and technical support for the implementation of the European legislation in this field, notably through the management of the European centralised database of export and import of certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides, EDEXIM. In accordance with the new Regulation, the JRC will hand-over these tasks to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in 2014.
Links:
- European Commission's trade of dangerous chemicals
- Joint Research Centre: European database of Export and Import of Dangerous Chemicals: EDEXIM
- The new Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 of 4 July 2012 concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals, recast (OJ L 201, 27.7.2012, pp. 60-106)
- Rotterdam Convention (PIC)
The European Database of EXport and IMport of certain dangerous chemicals (EDEXIM) was developed by the European Chemicals Bureau and distributed to Member States in May 1996.
The database provides classification and labelling information for substances covered by the Regulation, statistics routines, ad-hoc data sheets for preparations and complete Prior Informed Consent (PIC) information.
