European Directive 76/769/EC, along with its amendments, restricts and bans marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations.  This Directive has been transposed into Slovene legislation by way of:

• Decree prohibiting and restricting production, marketing and use of asbestos and asbestos products (OJ RS, No. 49/01); 
• Rules Restricting the Marketing or Use of Certain Dangerous Substances and Preparations (OJ RS, No. 85/06)

Asbestos

Any manufacture, marketing and use of asbestos and asbestos products containing more than 0.1 asbestos, bar for research and development, is prohibited. When it comes to import of asbestos for research and development purposes, a special authorization needs to be obtained from the National Chemicals Bureau. What is more, special labeling of asbestos and asbestos products is required. The chemicals inspectors are in charge of supervising the implementation of the Decree in accordance with the Chemicals Act and the Decree.

Prohibitions and restrictions of other chemicals

The Rules restricting the marketing or use of certain dangerous substances and preparations also defines restrictions and bans for 44 chemicals or a group of chemicals which, however, do not apply to use for research, science and analysis purposes. Restrictions vary according to a type (group) of chemicals, ranging from total ban for certain chemicals to very mild restrictions, such as ban on use of chemicals in objects for general use, (for chemicals of groups 1. in 2. carcinogenicity, mutagenicity and toxicity for reproduction). Legal and natural persons, who place such chemicals or products containing them on the market, are liable to respect relevant restrictions and bans. It is chemicals inspectors who are in charge of supervising the implementation of the Rules in accordance with the provisions of the Chemicals Act and the Rules.

Prior informed consent procedure

Act Ratifying the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure  for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (OJ RS, No. 86/99 – International Agreements, No. 26/99) lays down the content of prior informed consent procedure (PIC procedure). As of 1. 5. 2004 Regulation 304/2003 concerning the export and import of certain hazardous chemicals has been used, together with its amendments, to implement PIC procedure. : http://ecb.jrc.it/edex/en/

Regulation 304/2003 stipulates that any export of chemicals subject to PIC procedure is possible only if importing country allows it. Special arrangements are in place when it comes to chemicals banned and restricted within the EU. Provided that such chemicals are to be exported, a relevant national competent authority (the National Chemicals Bureau) should be notified thereof. In order to implement PCI, a special database is applied: http://ecb.jrc.it/edex/en/  designed for representatives of national authorities and companies.

The National Chemicals Bureau is responsible for implementing PIC procedure in the Republic of Slovenia and internationally. In doing so, the National Chemicals Bureau works closely together with the ministry responsible for the environment.

 
Contact point: Karmen Krajnc MSc