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

5. Pollution prevention and control
measures
It is a common point of view that potential pollutants are not specifically regulated in the
Russian Federation when we compare the EU approach of restrictions-prohibition of
use, BAT requirement on substitution of hazardous substances used in production processes
to less hazardous, principles of water discharge permitting.
Although the measures are not directly comparable, there are some similar elements in
place (at least foreseen by legislation).
5.1. Prohibited substances
As referred to in Chapter 2, production, import and use of unregistered substances is prohibited
in the Russian Federation. Also, according to the health and environmental legislation the
same applies for substances not having MPCs (or temporary norms, ODUs) assigned. While
comparing the number of substances used in the EU (ca 108,000 substances in ELINCS/
EINECS list) and in the Russian Federation (~18,500 substances considered to have registration),
it may be assumed that the registration requirement is not strictly followed.
Pesticides have separate a registration system and it was said to be better functioning
[6]. Pesticides allowed for use should be included in National catalog (GosHimKomissija
MinSelHozProda of RF, 1998) and in the “List of pesticides and agricultural chemicals
allowed for use on the territory of the Russian Federation” 26 . Those substances which do
not appear in the list should be considered as prohibited. As some pesticides used previously,
during Soviet times, are not in the lists, there might be a lot of obsolete stocks, and
therefore still considered in environmental norms / regulations. [5]
Moreover, a specific framework is established for ozone depleting substances. Import
and export of ozone depleting substances is subject to licensing. In general, import
and export, and production of substances in Annex 1 and Annex 2 to relevant governmental
regulation 27 is prohibited, certain exemptions are possible. The regulating
legal framework is based on the Federal Law on Regulation of Foreign Trade Activities,
Federal Law on Ecological Assessment, Governmental Regulation 24.05.1995 No 526
on priority measures to fulfil the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol.
26 cited as annexes to Plant Protection Journal. List is published annually.
27 Постановление Правительства РФ 563 от 08.05.96 „О регулировании ввоза в Российскую
Федерацию и вывоза из Российской Федерации озоноразрушающих веществ и
содержащей их продукции“, в ред. Постановлений Правительства РФ от 27.12.1996 N
1560, от 15.11.1997 N 1423, от 22.02.2000 N 148, от 30.11.2001 N 830, от 29.03.2005 N
166, от 27.08.2005 N 539)
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