National Inspectorates - Ireland

The Chemicals Acts 2008 and 2010 facilitates enforcement of the REACH, CLP and PIC Regulations in Ireland.

The act sets out the details of the national authorities with responsibility for each of the regulations as well as the powers of inspectors. The act may be found on the website of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

Enforcement of BPR and POP Regulations is carried out by national authorities as set out below.

Authorities responsible for REACH enforcement

• Health and Safety Authority (HSA) – Lead Competent Authority for enforcement of REACH in Ireland, covering all elements of REACH, including registration, authorisation, restriction, and downstream user obligations etc., in relation to all substances and mixtures (as relevant) except those which are generally termed as pesticides (i.e. plant protection products or biocides), for which the Pesticide Registration and Control Division have exclusive responsibility. 
• Pesticide Registration and Control Division (PRCD) of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible for implementing the regulatory system for plant protection products and biocidal products, and the national regulations controlling pesticide residues in food. PRCD is responsible for enforcement of all relevant aspects of the REACH Regulation in relation to plant protection products or biocides including restrictions and downstream user obligations.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – responsibilities for a wide range of licensing, enforcement, monitoring and assessment activities associated with environmental protection. The EPA has responsibility for enforcement of REACH in relation to specific restrictions and authorisations (PBTs and vPvBs) relating to environmental pollution.

Authorities responsible for CLP enforcement

• Health and Safety Authority (HSA) – Lead Competent Authority for enforcement of CLP in Ireland, covering all elements of the Regulation including classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures as well as notification of classification and labelling information to the inventory at ECHA in relation to all substances except those which are generally termed as pesticides (i.e. plant protection products or biocides), for which the Pesticide Registration and Control Division have exclusive responsibility.
• Pesticide Registration and Control Division (PRCD) of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible for covering all elements of the CLP Regulation including classification, labelling, packaging and notification of classification and labelling information to the inventory at ECHA in relation to all substances which are generally termed as pesticides (i.e. plant protection products or biocides).
• National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) of Beaumont Hospital Board has been appointed as the body responsible for receiving information relating to emergency health response under Article 45 of the CLP Regulation.

Authorities responsible for PIC enforcement

• Health and Safety Authority (HSA) – one of the Designated National Authorities (DNAs) with responsibility for implementing the PIC Regulation for industrial chemicals in Ireland and is responsible for enforcement of all relevant aspects of the Regulation in relation to industrial chemicals.
• Pesticide Registration and Control Division (PRCD) of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible for implementing the regulatory system for plant protection products and biocidal products, and the national regulations controlling pesticide residues in food. PRCD is responsible for enforcement of all relevant aspects of the PIC Regulation in relation to plant protection products or biocides.

Authorities responsible for POP enforcement

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – responsible for the enforcement of controls on production, placing on the market and use of POPs. The EPA also monitors the proper management of POP-containing stockpiles. Additionally, the EPA is charged with updating the National Implementation Plan on POPs and is responsible for fulfilling some of the recommended tasks outlined in its Action Plan. The EPA is also tasked with meeting Irelands reporting obligations under the Regulation including those associated with release inventories. Relatedly the EPA issues and enforces compliance with permits regarding Directive 2010/75/EU (Industrial Emissions Directive) within Ireland.
• Pesticide Registration and Control Division (PRCD) of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible for implementing the regulatory system for plant protection products and biocidal products, and the national regulations controlling pesticide residues in food. PRCD is responsible for enforcement of all relevant aspects of the POP Regulation in relation to plant protection products or biocides.

Further details on responsibilities under POPs can be found in Environmental Protection Agency's website.

Authorities responsible for BPR enforcement

• Pesticide Registration and Control Division (PRCD)