The Russian system of chemicals management - Bef-de.org

egulations at the request of manufacturers. 1 It is expected that in 2010 the first TR on
chemicals management are adopted, enforcing classification accroding to the Globally
Harmonized System (GHS) and safety passports (i.e. Safety Data Sheets, SDS).
A multitude of organizations is involved in chemicals safety and management of hazardous
susbtances on Federal, regional, and local levels. A full list with responsibilities can
be found in Annex V of this document. Figure 1 illustrates the responsibilities schematically
and examplifies the case for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.
For the purposes of this document, only a small number of Ministries, and Federal Services
are of primary concern. These will be addressed in detail in the following sections.
Nevertheless it is important to keep in mind, that there are many other players involved,
This signifcantly contrubutes to the complexity of the topic in Russia.
Apart from using printed and electronically available information sources, this report has
been compiled based on past experience, discussions at the Baltic Sea Day 2009 and in
expert meetings in Tallinn in May 2009 and in Riga in November 2009 [1]. The main aspects
of the systems in place in the Russian Federation can be briefly summarized as follows:
>> The current system of substance registration is complex, involves several assessment
steps and is focused towards the prevention of damage to human health.
>> The aim of the registration is to ensure that negative effects are identified, dangerousness
is defined by hazard classes and communicated respectively. Furthermore,
MCPs are developed based on toxicological (and ecotoxicological considerations
in case of fishery waters).
> > The setting of MPCs is carried out by different institutions for human health and
the fishery waters. There seems to be lack of cooperation between the authorities,
perhaps caused by the previously unclear legal position of fishery MPCs, which
was finally solved in the end of 2009.
>> The extent of testing depends on available knowledge and also partly on risks
(information on production and uses) and testing methods and endpoints can be
regarded as similar to the EU. The following endpoints are considered and tests
are performed accordingly:
Human health
>> Carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reprotoxicity;
>> Acute toxicity and chronic toxicity, including different effects on organs,
nervous system etc.;
>> Skin irritation and corrosiveness;
>> Eye damage and eye irritation;
>> Sensitisation (skin and respiratory tract);
1 http://www.business-help.ru/news.php?id=89
12 | The Russian System of Chemicals Management