Registration of Hazardous Chemicals Made Mandatory

Chemical waste can pose a threat to human health and the environment. A recent example in our country was the dangerous chemical discharge that occurred in Tuzla. The registration and monitoring of chemicals is a matter of considerable importance worldwide. In many countries around the world, particularly in Europe, chemicals have begun to have passports. In parallel with the rest of the world, Turkey took a major step with the "Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)" issued by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation and entered into force on 23 December 2017, in terms of monitoring chemicals and minimising their harmful effects.

Chemical Discharge in Tuzla Causes Panic

It is possible to encounter news in the media frequently reporting on incidents involving chemicals that threaten human and environmental health. One of these incidents occurred in Istanbul recently. The odour felt on Monday night, 25 December 2017 in Tuzla caused panic, resulting in some people in the area seeking treatment at hospitals. In a statement, it was noted that the odour was caused by chemicals illegally discharged into the wastewater collector line in the area by industrial facilities in Tuzla. Following analyses conducted by İSKİ, the discharged chemicals were identified as "trichloroethylene" and "tetrachloroethylene".

İKMİB President Murat Akyüz: "Turkey Strengthens Measures"

Murat Akyüz, Chairman of the Board of İKMİB (Istanbul Chemical Exporters Association) and Founder Chairman of REACH Global Services (RGS), evaluated the chemical waste discharge that occurred in Tuzla and negatively affected residents of the area, emphasising that such incidents should be minimised in Turkey. Underlining the importance of BEKRA (Regulation on the Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents and Mitigation of Their Effects), known as SEVESO in Europe, and REACH in chemical management, Akyüz stated: "The chemical industry worldwide is now experienced in registering and managing chemicals. With legislation developed for this purpose in our country, measures are being strengthened. First, significant steps were taken on SEVESO; now it is the turn of REACH. Our companies need to prioritise chemical registrations under REACH. In line with studies for the adaptation of chemicals to REACH legislation, REACH Global Services Consultancy Inc., established with the support of İKMİB as part of REACH Global Services, which has been operating since 2008, provides services for the compliance of all substances offered to the Turkish market."

Consequences of Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Are Also Dangerous

The substances called "trichloroethylene" and "tetrachloroethylene" discharged into the wastewater line in Tuzla are classified as harmful chemicals under the REACH and CLP (EU Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging) regulations in force in the European Union. In the chemical information inventory of the European Chemicals Agency, the competent authority in the EU, it is stated that these chemicals may cause cancer in humans, skin damage, serious eye damage, dizziness and fainting. Trichloroethylene is also suspected of causing genetic disorders. In environmental terms, both substances have long-term harmful effects on aquatic life. The chemicals in question are known to be used in the chemical industry as adhesives and industrial solvents.

REACH and Other Chemical Regulations in Turkey Are in Place

Besides REACH, BEKRA (SEVESO), another regulation in force in Turkey regarding the management of chemicals, is also important. With BEKRA, all measures necessary to prevent major industrial accidents in facilities that contain hazardous substances for the purposes of production, storage and/or sale within the facility, to reduce the harm of possible accidents to people and the environment to the lowest level, to provide effective and continuous protection and risk management are determined. With the REACH regulation entered into force recently, all chemicals will be classified; imports and production will be recorded. Certain harmful chemicals will be restricted or completely banned. In this way, producers, importers and users of these chemicals, in short all actors in the supply chain, will be under strict monitoring and public health and the environment will be protected more effectively.