Irish Labour Affairs Minister Billy Kelleher has announced the commencement of the Chemicals Act 2008.

The Chemicals Act is a major piece of new legislation in the area of chemicals regulation in Ireland.

Its primary focus is to facilitate the enforcement of certain EU Regulations concerning chemicals in the country.

The commencement of the Act has marked an important step in the delivery of EU Regulatory framework governing the manufacture and use of chemicals, in a way which does not impact on economic competitiveness.

Speaking after the signing of the Order to commence this new Act, Minister Kelleher, said: "When bringing the Chemicals Bill through the Oireachtas, I was very conscious how critical chemicals are to the way we live today – they form part of virtually everything we make and use as well as providing enormous benefits to society."

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Minister Kelleher said: "Some chemicals can present risks to human health and the environment and it is important to have systems in place to identify, monitor and control them as well as their effects while continuing to ensure that they are available for the benefit of society."

"It is reckoned that there are over 30,000 chemicals in use in the EU but the reality is we know little or nothing about many of them. With the new REACH Regulation, which this Act implements, this will start to change."

"Chemicals will have to be registered. Information will have to be supplied about their uses and effects. This is the start of a new era in chemicals regulation in Ireland."

"Our approach in framing this Bill was to provide a clear regulatory framework for business that would result in high levels of compliance and increased co-operation between the various national authorities in order to maximise efficiencies in enforcement," he added.

Minister Kelleher warned those who manufacture, import or use chemicals that they could be out of business unless the chemicals they manufacture, import or use, are pre-registered by 1 December.

(PR)