Recently, the World Trade Organization announced amendments to Annexes 2 and 3 of Switzerland's "Ordinance on the Protection against Dangerous Substances and Preparations" (ChemO). These changes, intended to align with the latest EU and UN standards in environmental and chemical management, aim to lower trade barriers and boost trade flow. The amendments are scheduled for adoption on August 2, 2024, and set to take effect on September 1, 2024. The specific changes are detailed below.
Annex 2：
- New Substance Inclusion: The EU CLP Regulation's 21st Technical Progress Adaptation adds 28 substances for harmonized classification and labeling.
- Existing Entries Update: Twenty-four entries have been updated to meet contemporary safety standards.
- New Hazard Categories: Under EU 2023/707, categories for endocrine disruptors, persistent chemicals, and those threatening water bodies will be phased in, starting with individual substances.
- Testing Standards Refresh: Swiss legislation now includes the latest OECD and UN testing protocols.
Annex 3：
- New Additions: Seven new substances have been added to the ChemO Annex 3 List of Candidate Substances, which identifies chemicals that may pose significant health or environmental risks. (Details are pending release.)
- Revisions: Several existing entries on the list have been updated.
Note: The Swiss authorities have yet to disclose the specifics of this update. ChemRadar will keep you updated on any progress.
ChemO
Switzerland's ChemO regulation ensures the protection of human health and the environment by regulating chemical use and distribution. Despite not being part of the EU, Switzerland adopts key aspects of EU REACH and CLP regulations. Under ChemO, any substances not registered with EU REACH must be declared to Swiss authorities before entering the market.
ChemRadar Insights
ChemO's Annex 2 details the requirements for Safety Data Sheets (SDS), including mandatory corporate information and chemical limits. Annex 3 is updated periodically to highlight Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) and other substances requiring special attention.
According to Article 21 of ChemO, substances in Annex 3 must be documented with a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Per Article 49, products with fragrances or colorants constituting up to 5% and 25% of their total weight respectively, and containing SVHCs above 0.1%, should label these as "fragrance" or "colorant." Additionally, Article 71 requires suppliers to inform downstream users promptly if SVHCs exceed 0.1%.
ChemRadar urges businesses to reassess their chemical exports to Switzerland for compliance with Swiss ChemO regulations. For guidance on Swiss ChemO or EU REACH issues, please contact us.
