HSE and Product Registration

The health, safety and environmental (HSE) aspects of the chemical manufacture should be uppermost in the team s mind throughout the course of the development. However, once the development of the process has reached the stage when only very minor modifications are likely to occur, itis time to look at the formal aspects of HSE. The components of HSE that are internal to the company are  

The evaluation of the potential hazards associated with chemical processes and plant operational procedures is a specialised activity. In larger companies a separate group will be responsible for this activity. The work involves testing for any fire and explosion hazards associated with the chemicals and the reaction mass in which they are produced, known as the chemical reaction hazards. The process details are considered in relation to the actual chemical plant in which they are to be operated the plant operational hazards. 

The control of health hazards in the workplace is subject to legislation as outlined 

The original proposal met with considerable opposition from the chemical industry and lead to an amended proposal in 2003, political agreement was obtained in 2005 and implementation is planned for 2007. A new European Chemicals Agency is expected to be fully operation 12 months later. 

The deadlines for registration are set according to the volume of the substance on the market or the hazard. The shortest deadlines apply to very high volume substances (above 1000 tonnes), and carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproduction toxic substances above 1 tonne. These will have to be registered within 3 years. 

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