The Expert Group on Chemicals is responsible for legislation on dangerous substances contained Annex II, Chapter XV of the EEA Agreement.
Chemicals are strictly regulated in order to protect consumers, workers and the environment. The EEA Agreement contains both general chemicals legislation and product-specific legislation. The general chemicals legislation includes a new registration system for all chemicals (REACH) and common rules for classification and labelling.
Legislation for specific product sectors has been adopted in the fields of electrical equipment, biocides, plant protection products, detergents, etc. The legislation on batteries and accumulators, packaging and end-of-life vehicles covers the phasing out of hazardous substances and the management of the waste from these products. The placement in the EEA Agreement may therefore vary.
See also:
DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROWTH) - Chemicals
DG Environment (DG ENVIRONMENT) - Chemicals
European Chemicals Agency - ECHA
DG Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) - Plant protection products