Today, I'm bringing you a practical guide to help if you're new to the field of chemicals. By following these steps, you can easily manage all the obligations set for manufacturers and importers of chemicals in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Determine if you are importing or producing chemicals
It might seem odd, but from experience, I know that some companies dealing with chemicals are unaware that chemical regulations apply to them. Some importers believe that paints, varnishes, or cleaning agents are not chemicals but "ordinary" products with no special obligations. These products are indeed chemicals and are subject to regulations and specific requirements.
TIP: At this stage, also determine the product categories (industrial chemical, detergent, biocide, poison, precursor, etc.) to more easily identify your obligations. Check with your freight forwarder for additional obligations based on the product's tariff number.
- Check applicable regulations based on your company's location
Since different parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina have different chemical regulations, this is an important step. In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, poison regulations are still in effect, while in the Republic of Srpska, modernized chemical regulations have long been applied.
TIP: If you are trading chemicals throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, you must meet specific requirements in all parts of the country.
- Obtain the necessary permits for your company
If you've determined that you are importing or producing chemicals, you need to obtain a permit for such activities. Depending on your location, you should do the following:
In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, you need to obtain a decision/permit from the competent authority, after verifying the fulfillment of conditions for that activity. This obligation currently applies only to poisons.
In the Republic of Srpska, you need to register in the Register of Chemical Manufacturers and Importers. For this purpose, you must appoint a chemical advisor.
TIP: A foreign manufacturer (or distributor) must appoint a representative or importer based in Bosnia and Herzegovina who will be responsible for fulfilling the prescribed obligations.
- Obtain the necessary permits for chemicals
In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a permit is currently required only for the import of poisons.
In the Republic of Srpska, you need to register chemicals in the Chemical Inventory. If you produce or import biocides, you must also register them.
If the chemicals you import are considered precursors, additional permits are required.
TIP: At this stage, ensure you have proper documentation for the chemicals, primarily the safety data sheet and label.
- Start selling
Once you've obtained all the permits and met all the requirements, you can start selling chemicals. Remember to keep records of the chemicals you've produced or imported and prepare annual reports.
TIP: Your obligations don't end here. As long as the chemical you've produced or imported is on the market, you must ensure it is used without harm to humans and the environment.
I hope this brief overview of obligations can help you. If you need further advice, write to me at nina.pajovic@bens-consulting.eu.
Original image by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash
nina.pajovic@bens-consulting.eu
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