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EU PIC Regulation (EU) No 649/2012

What Is the PIC Regulation (EU) No 649/2012?

The PIC Regulation refers to Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals. It implements within the European Union the procedures established by the Rotterdam Convention for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade.

What Are the Main Objectives of the PIC Regulation?

The PIC Regulation implements the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure for certain hazardous chemicals in international trade. Like other EU chemicals legislation, such as REACH and CLP,, the PIC Regulation aims to protect human health and the environment. By facilitating the exchange of information on the properties of hazardous chemicals, it contributes to the environmentally sound use of these substances.

The Regulation covers certain hazardous chemicals that are subject to the PIC procedure or are banned or severely restricted within the European Union.

Key Principles of the PIC Regulation

Implementation of the Rotterdam Convention: The primary principle of the Regulation is to implement at European Union level the Rotterdam Convention, which establishes the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade.

Shared responsibility and cooperation: The Regulation promotes shared responsibility and cooperative efforts between exporting and importing countries to protect against potential harm arising from the international movement of hazardous chemicals.

Promotion of environmentally sound use: By facilitating the exchange of information on the properties of hazardous chemicals, the Regulation aims to ensure that these substances are used in an environmentally sound manner.

Common export notification procedure: A standard export notification procedure applies to chemicals, mixtures or articles that are banned or severely restricted within the EU and are exported to third countries, regardless of whether the importing country is a Party to the Rotterdam Convention.

Explicit consent requirement: Before certain hazardous chemicals may be exported, explicit consent must be obtained from the competent authorities of the importing country. This constitutes a critical control for preventing unwanted exports.

Information exchange and transparency: The Regulation facilitates the exchange of regulatory, safety and hazard information on hazardous chemicals. It also requires exported chemicals to comply with applicable packaging and labelling requirements.

Technical assistance and capacity building: The provision of technical assistance is encouraged, particularly for developing countries and countries with economies in transition, to help them develop the infrastructure and expertise required to manage chemicals properly throughout their life cycles.

Product safety and shelf life: Exported chemicals must comply with applicable packaging and labelling requirements and have an adequate shelf life to ensure that they can be used safely and effectively, particularly in developing countries.

Obligations of Companies under the PIC Regulation

Some of the obligations imposed on companies under the PIC Regulation are as follows:

  • Companies must submit an export notification before exporting chemicals listed in Part 1 of Annex I to another country. The notification must be repeated for the first export to each importing country in each calendar year.
  • For the export of chemicals listed in Parts 2 or 3 of Annex I, an export notification alone is not sufficient. Explicit consent must also be obtained from the designated national authority of the importing country.
  • Each exporter must provide the importer with a Safety Data Sheet that complies with the REACH Regulation and must label its products in accordance with EU packaging and labelling requirements, including those established under the CLP Regulation.
  • Exporters must submit their notifications and information through ePIC, the electronic application managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), and must indicate the relevant Reference Identification Numbers (RINs) in their export declarations.

Ensure Compliance with the PIC Regulation with Chemleg

Chemleg provides PIC notification services for the European Union and Türkiye.

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