European Communities (Classification, Packaging, Labelling and Notification of Dangerous Substances) Regulations, 2003 (S.I. No. 116 of 2003).

The aim of these Regulations is to protect man and the environment from the harmful effects of both new substances and existing dangerous substances. The Regulations apply to all substances which are intended to be placed on the market either on their own or in a preparation with exceptions for certain categories of substances such as medicinal, cosmetic, pesticide, waste, etc., products which are covered by other Directives. They require each manufacturer, importer or other person proposing to place any new chemical on the market for the first time to submit to the competent authority a notification dossier containing details of tests to which the substance has been subjected and the proposed classification and labelling of the substance. The Regulations also require suppliers to put warning labels on containers for dangerous substances and to ensure that the containers are properly designed, constructed and secured to prevent spillage or seepage during normal use. Safety data sheets must be supplied for dangerous substances covered by these Regulations. Schedule 8 to the Regulations sets out the obligatory headings for safety data sheets.