21 June, 2024 14:25:04 IST 
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which implements the REACH regulation in EU, said its Enforcement Forum has agreed to a new EU-wide project to check that hazardous mixtures present in products, such as air fresheners or electronic cigarettes, are classified, labelled and packaged correctly to protect consumers and children from chemical hazards.
The Enforcement Forum is a network of enforcement authorities from the EU and European Economic Area (EEA). They are responsible for coordinating the enforcement of EU regulations like the REACH, CLP, PIC, POPs and the Biocidal Product regulations.
ECHA said the objective of the checks in the new ‘REF-14’ project is to protect human health by enforcing the requirement to classify and label hazardous mixtures. The checks will include consumer products which are widely available on the market and known to contain hazardous mixtures - such as nicotine products with acutely toxic substances or air fresheners containing sensitising or irritant substances.
Enforcement authorities noted that these products are sometimes not classified and labelled to inform consumers about the hazards and how to use them safely. They are also sometimes found without child resistant fastening, which may result in children being exposed.
Inspectors will check if the suppliers of these products fulfil their duties under the CLP regulation, including classification and labelling, as well as requirements for packaging and child resistant fastening. They will also check the notifications to the poison centres and the safety data sheets of the mixtures. The REF-14 project will be prepared in 2025 and inspections are expected in 2026.
Pilot project on only representatives
The Forum also agreed that its next pilot enforcement project will focus on only representatives who register imported substances, including those present in mixtures. Inspectors will aim to identify free-riders and potentially fraudulent economic operators, which will contribute to a more level playing field for companies in different countries.
Inspectors will check that the tonnage of the substance is registered correctly. Registering for too low tonnage could result in insufficient information supplied to help users and authorities properly manage the risks of the substance. Among other requirements, inspectors may also check that only representatives keep records of importers covered and obligations regarding the safety data sheets.
