The PIC Regulation (“Prior Informed Consent Regulation”, Regulation (EU) No. 649/2012) of the European Union ensures the safe import and export of dangerous chemicals across the EU outer border. It is the European implementation of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade.
The PIC Regulation regulates the export of certain Annex I chemicals and mixtures containing these chemicals in concentrations relevant to classification and labeling in accordance with the CLP Regulation, as well as products containing these chemicals in their original state.
Annex I is regularly updated under the Rotterdam Convention and covers industrial chemicals, biocides and pesticides that are banned or subject to strict regulations in the EU. The specific requirements for the export of these chemicals are divided into three groups in Annex I. While chemicals listed in Annex I Part 1 require an export notification, those in Part 2 additionally need the explicit consent of the importing non-EU country. For chemicals listed in Part 3 further regulations apply. Furthermore, the PIC Regulation contains a list of chemicals and products whose export is generally prohibited (Annex V). This includes persistent organic pollutants (Annex V, Part 1), as well as other chemicals and products (Annex V, Part 2). Small quantities of chemicals used for research purposes are exempt from the provisions of the PIC Regulation. Separately, ECHA lists substances that are directly or indirectly associated with the entries in Annexes I and V. These can be found here under the tab “Substances in Scope”.
In general, an export notification from the exporter to the authorities of the exporting EU member state and to ECHA is required. ECHA processes the export notifications and transmits them to the importing non-EU countries as well as maintains a database of the notifications and the explicit consents given by the importing non-EU countries. Due to the obligation to provide explicit consent, potential risks can be assessed by the importing non-EU countries.
The PIC regulation applies since March 1, 2014.
Annexes I and V are included in the SUBSPORTplus database of restricted and priority substances.
List sources:
Information on the PIC Regulation: