Chemicals and Controlled Substances

While chemicals are an essential part of our daily lives, some chemicals can have a harmful effect on human health and the environment, if they are not properly controlled. There is extensive legislation on the control of chemicals, most of which comes from Europe and must be implemented in all EU Member States.

The EPA is responsible for implementing and enforcing controls relating to various chemicals and controlled substances. These include the following:

• Mercury
• REACH - Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
• POPs - Persistent Organic Pollutants
• PCBs - Polychlorinated Biphenyls
• ODS - Ozone Depleting Substances
• F-gases - Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases
• RoHS - Restriction of Hazardous Substances (in electrical and electronic equipment)

The Health and Safety Authority also has a key role to play in the control of chemicals in Ireland.

Learn More

Check out the European Commission's Chemicals webpage

Check out the website of the European Chemicals Agency

Find out about chemicals on the Health and Safety Authority website