Type of PRER

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an internationally agreed-upon system, created by the United Nations, to replace the various classification and labelling standards used in different countries by using consistent criteria for classification and labelling on a global level.

GHS aims to improve knowledge of the chronic health hazards of chemicals and encourage a move towards the elimination of hazardous chemicals, especially carcinogens, mutagens and reproductive toxins, or their replacement with less hazardous ones. Harmonisation of chemical hazard classification and communication will facilitate trade.

It provides the infrastructure for participating countries to implement a hazard classification and communication system. Hazardous chemical substances are classified into physical, health or and environmental hazards. Hazards are then communicated using globally agreed labelling and standardised Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

Malaysia has adopted GHS for the transport of dangerous goods. In 2008 it created the Malaysian Standards for GHS. Further to GHS the control and use of chemicals is subject to national legislation or regional regulations such as REACH.

Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) is a European Union regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals. It came into force on 1st June 2007 and replaced a number of European Directives and Regulations with a single system. REACH is adopted to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals, while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry. It also promotes alternative methods for the hazard assessment of substances in order to reduce the number of tests on animals.

In principle, REACH applies to all chemical substances; not only those used in industrial processes but also in our day-to-day lives, for example in cleaning products, paints as well as in articles such as clothes, furniture and electrical appliances. Therefore, the regulation has an impact on most companies across the EU.

REACH places the burden of proof on companies. To comply with the regulation, companies must identify and manage the risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market in the EU. They have to demonstrate to European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) how the substance can be safely used, and they must communicate the risk management measures to the users.

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive- This European Union directive aims to restrict six dangerous substances commonly used in electrical and electronic equipment. Any RoHS compliant component is tested for the presence of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent chromium (Hex-Cr), Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). For Cadmium and Hexavalent chromium, there must be less than 0.01% of the substance by weight at raw homogeneous materials level. For Lead, PBB, and PBDE, there must be no more than 0.1% of the material, when calculated by weight at raw homogeneous materials. Any RoHS compliant component must have 100 ppm or less of mercury and the mercury must not have been intentionally added to the component. In the EU, some military and medical equipment are exempt from RoHS compliance.

Energy-Using Products (EUP)- The EuP Directive establishes a framework for setting eco-design and minimum energy efficiency requirements for energy using products (EuP), imported into or sold in the European Union. Products are not subject to eco-design or energy efficiency requirements until an Implementing Measure has been issued covering that product class. Products covered by an Implementing Measure must comply by the date listed in the Implementing Measure. CE marking denotes a product is compliant with the Implementing Measure and the manufacturer must issue a declaration of conformity for the product.

End-of Life Vehicles (ELV) -According to definitions laid out in the Waste Framework Directive, it is primarily the customer's will which designates a given vehicle an end-of life vehicle. However, in certain cases a vehicle is considered end-of-life simply due to the condition it is in. According to the Waste Shipment Regulation, such vehicle may not be exported outside of the European Union. Today however with material prices on the rise, end-of-life vehicles are considered a valuable resource for many different materials rather than waste. A vehicle irrespective of its age and its weight, is made out of approximately 75% of metals both ferrous and non-ferrous with the non-ferrous steadily increasing. The remaining 25% of the vehicle weight result from tires, fluids and other compound materials.