Chemicals are present in practically everything that we surround ourselves with. We cannot do without chemicals in modern life, but some chemicals have harmful effects on humans and on the environment. The Danish EPA assesses chemicals and is involved in laying down the rules for how they may be used.
Lip salves, clothes, computers, cleaning agents, and teething rings for babies are examples of products containing chemical substances. There are around 100,000 chemical substances on the EU market and an estimated 20,000 on the Danish market. The substances serve important functions in products, but some of them are dangerous, while we are ignorant of the effect of others on humans and the environment.
Focus on dangerous and undesirable substances The Danish EPA is responsible for managing a great number of rules on chemicals. These rules have been established to avoid health hazards and damage to the environment when the substances are manufactured, stored, and used. The Danish EPA Chemical Inspection Service supervises compliance with the legislation.
The Danish EPA continually assesses the risk associated with a number of substances whose effects we are not yet familiar with. This work is carried out in collaboration with other EU Member States. Any new knowledge is used, for example, to establish new EU regulation of the quantities of a substance allowed in certain products.
Bans, labelling and lists show the way Some substances are so dangerous that they may not be used for certain purposes. This applies e.g. to lead and substances which deplete the ozone layer. Other dangerous substances must be labelled by the manufacturer or importer, so that the consumer can read how the product is to be used safely. These substances and their labelling requirements are included in the EU list of dangerous substances, which contains about 8,000 substances and substance groups.
A number of substances are undesirable because they have problematic effects and are used in very large quantities. According to the Danish EPA's assessment, these substances should be avoided as far as possible and we have therefore prepared a list of undesirable substances and substance groups. The list is meant as a guideline which manufacturers, product developers, procurement departments, and other players can use as part of their efforts to substitute the problematic substances with less problematic ones.
Greater knowledge about substances with REACH The Danish strategy is to reduce the use and enhance control of problematic chemicals. Manufacturers must take more responsibility and consumers must have access to information on how to avoid exposure to dangerous substances. The way to achieve this is through better regulation in Denmark, in the EU, and globally.
The new EU chemicals regulation, REACH, has brought us one step further toward our goal. REACH paves the way for more knowledge about substances on the market, and assessment of all substances. In future, only known substances may be marketed and industry must ensure that manufacture and use of chemical substances are without risk for humans and the environment. The more detailed requirements depend on the quantities in which the products are manufactured. Manufacturers will be responsible for providing information about the product, and particularly problematic substances must be approved by the authorities.
Challenges in the long term Continued work in the EU and globally is necessary to ensure a high level of protection. We must continue to inform citizens and enterprises about new knowledge and risks associated with chemicals and their occurrence in consumer products. We must also push enterprises to substitute the problematic substances in their products with less problematic ones.