Chemicals

Air and Environmental Quality Unit develops policy and legislation relating to the control of chemicals and substances which are hazardous to the environment. Current legislation includes the UK-wide regulations on:

- Mercury - The Mercury Export and Data (Enforcement) Regulations 2010: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20100265_en_1

- Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) - The Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulations 2007: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/uksi_20073106_en_1

REACH

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals - Regulation (EC) 1907/2006.

REACH aims to provide a high level of protection to human health and to the environment by ensuring the comprehensive assessment of chemical substances in use, and the prohibition or control of dangerous substances.

The legal remit for REACH enforcement across the UK is provided by the REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008 No. 2852 which came into force on 1 December 2008.

In Northern Ireland REACH is jointly enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (N.I.), District Councils and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

More information on REACH enforcement and requirements can be found at:

http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/pollution-home/ippc/reach.htm (NI Environment Agency REACH page); and

http://www.hseni.gov.uk/guidance/topics/reach-3-column.htm (Health & Safety Executive NI REACH page).