Brazil Closer to a National Inventory of Chemical Substances

In Brazil, a proposed bill (PL 6120/2019) moved forward in April 2024 that would establish a National Inventory of Chemical Substances, similar to that established by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation (Lisam Systems 2024).  

Similar to other chemical management frameworks, chemical reporting would be required for substances (including in mixtures or in articles) imported or manufactured in Brazil at more than 1 ton/year. Reporting would require submission of data on production/import quantity, identification of the substance, hazard classification, and uses of the substance. Certain products are exempted from registration under this law, including substances used exclusively for research, non-isolated reaction intermediates, mixtures, articles, monomers, polymers of low concern, food/food additives, medicines, pesticides, and cosmetics. Further responsibilities and procedures outlined in the proposed bill include fees, inspection policies, and sanctions for violations of the law. 

This law will come into force upon publication following approval by the environment committee, the social affairs committee, and the President of Brazil. Once enacted, chemical stakeholders in Brazil will have three years to register substances. The enactment of this law would have Brazil join Chile, Colombia and Peru in being the few Latin American countries with a national chemicals management system similar to REACH (Enhesa 2024).