Brussels, 27/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - The new regulation on the “prior informed consent procedure” (revised PIC regulation), which governs the EU's exports of hazardous chemicals, pesticides and biocides to third countries, enters into force on 1 March. This regulation, which is based on a detailed notification procedure imposed upon the exporter, goes beyond the Rotterdam Convention, which it transposes into European law.
It will apply to exports to all countries, whether or not they are signatories to the Convention, will require the explicit consent of the importing countries in advance of the import of these hazardous products, irrespective of the final use of these; it will require all hazardous chemicals to be packaged and labelled in line with the requirements of EU legislation, unless these provisions run counter to the legislation of the importing countries.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which is based in Helsinki, will be responsible for sending export notifications to the importing countries and for managing the database which will contain the notifications and explicit consent of these countries. It will provide industry, the competent national authorities, both in the EU and in the third countries, and the European Commission with technical and scientific assistance. The regulation reaffirms the EU's commitment towards ensuring proper monitoring in the trade and use of hazardous chemicals at the global level, whilst helping to protect human health and the environment beyond its borders as well as within them.
The Rotterdam Convention brought in the binding application of the principle of prior informed consent (PIC) in the international trade of hazardous chemicals and pesticides. It provides for the parties to have the right to refuse to import certain hazardous chemicals; this means that exports of these products can only take place if the importing country has given the green light for this, having been informed of the dangers. It also brings in an information exchange system on the products in question. (AN)