Chemicals
On 1 January 2021, the EU REACH Regulation was brought into UK law. This is known as UK REACH. REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of CHemicals.
Under the Northern Ireland Protocol the EU REACH Regulation will continue to apply to Northern Ireland after the end of the transition period, while UK REACH will regulate the access of substances to the GB market.
You must ensure that you meet the relevant duties under both UK and EU REACH if your business is supplying or purchasing substances, mixtures or articles to and from:
- the European Union (EU)
- the European Economic Area (EEA)
- Northern Ireland (NI)
- Great Britain (GB)
There may be actions you need to take to maintain or gain access to these markets.
The role you previously undertook within EU REACH may have changed significantly under UK REACH so it's important to review your role(s).
To find out what your business needs to do to comply with UK REACH, check the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) REACH Guidance
The REACH Regulation:
- requires manufacturers and importers of chemical substances to gather hazard information and assess risks;
- can require the use of some particularly high-risk substances to be authorised;
- restricts the marketing and use of certain hazardous chemicals and mixtures.
Most businesses will be affected by REACH in some way. REACH affects any business of any size that:
- manufactures chemical substances
- imports chemical substances
- distributes chemical substances
- sells chemical substances
- uses chemical substances
The enforcing authorities for REACH provisions are the:
- NI Environment Agency (NIEA),
- Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and the
- NI Local Councils
Further guidance on how to comply with REACH chemicals Regulations is available here
If you need information and guidance about complying with EU REACH please visit the ECHA website
Legislation on fluorinated greenhouse gases (“F-gases”) and Ozone Depleting Substances (“ODS”) helps to limit Northern Ireland’s gaseous emissions and enables us to play our part in minimising the effects of global warming and ozone layer eradication:-
- Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases
- Ozone Depleting Substances ("ODS")
- F-gas and ODS guidance documents
- UK F-gas/ODS certificates - limits on legal validity for work in the Republic of Ireland
- 2020 ban on certain types of refrigerants containing F-gases
Further Information on Chemicals and Industrial Pollution
- The Industrial Emissions Directive and the Pollution Prevention and Control (Industrial Emissions) Regulations
- Detergents Regulation Post EU Exit
- Persistent Organic Pollutants
- Mercury Regulation
- Pesticides Use and Regulations
DAERA Contact Details
Chemicals and Industrial Pollution Policy (CIPP) Branch
Klondyke Building
1 Cromac Avenue
Gasworks Business Park
Belfast BT7 2JA.
Tel No: 028 90 569 541
E-mail: chemicals@daera-ni.gov.uk or FgasODSNI@daera-ni.gov.uk
Water
From 1 January 2021, the Water (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 ensure that water legislation will continue to be operable in the United Kingdom.
- The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is the regulator for drinking water quality in Northern Ireland - for both public and private supplies. The drinking water quality regulations are national legislation and will remain in operation from 1 January 2021.
- NIEA continues to regulate discharges of waste waters (both public and private) into waterways and this is not changing on 1 January 2021.
- The regulatory obligations of consent holders has not changed since 1 January 2021. NIEA will continue to monitor consent compliance though a programme of sampling and surveillance. In the event of non-compliance, NIEA will undertake appropriate investigations and, if required, consider enforcement action.
- The Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) Regulations have not changed from 1 January 2021 and apply to all agricultural land in Northern Ireland.
Further Information
- Concerns relating to water quality provided by NI Water should contact the Waterline in the first instance on 03457 440088
- Changes in use or operation of the private water supply at premises should be notified to the Drinking Water Inspectorate on 028 90569282 or by email to privatewatersupplies@daera-ni.gov.uk
- Contact the Water Pollution Hotline on 0800 80 70 60 for concerns relating to pollution of a waterway
- For further queries in relation to NAP regulations contact the Agricultural Regulations Team by email: agricultural.regulation@daera-ni.gov.uk
- Visit DAERA for further information on Water Related Topics