"Chemical Evaluation Specialist" Training Held in Cooperation with İKMİB and TKSD

To inform relevant manufacturers and convey company responsibilities, the second seminar on "The Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals" held by İKMİB (Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association) on 27 October 2017 took place on 26 January 2018 at the Foreign Trade Complex. In cooperation with İKMİB and the Turkish Chemical Manufacturers Association (TKSD), "Chemical Assessment Expert" trainings will be provided.

The KKDIK regulation published in the official gazette on 23 June 2017 came into force on 23 December 2017. At the seminar organised by İKMİB, relevant manufacturers were informed about the responsibilities and necessary actions introduced by the regulation. İKMİB Board Chairman Murat Akyüz, noting that one of the new practices introduced by the regulation is the requirement for notification that certain sections of the registration files to be submitted be reviewed by a Chemical Assessment Expert, stated: "Safety Data Sheets and Chemical Safety Reports will now be prepared by Chemical Assessment Experts.

We at İKMİB are cooperating with TKSD for Chemical Assessment Expert trainings. I wish to announce that our work continues to provide support to our valued companies in this matter as well."

The "Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals" seminar, organised by İKMİB which conducts intensive work for the development of the Turkish chemical sector, was held at the Foreign Trade Complex with the participation of Şeref Yılmaz, Head of the Department for Registration and Control of Chemicals at the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation, Eylem Özlem Nalbantoğlu, Environmental and Urbanisation Specialist, Murat Akyüz, Board Chairman of İKMİB, Mustafa Bağan, Representative of the Turkish Chemical Manufacturers Association (TKSD), and 300 member companies primarily from the chemical sector and other specialists operating in Turkey. At the seminar delivered by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation specialist and TKSD representative, manufacturers were informed about the obligations imposed by the KKDIK regulation, the chemical registration system, evaluation, authorisation, restrictions, pre-SDS, chemical assessment expert matters, and which steps manufacturers need to follow. It was conveyed that companies must first identify their role under KKDIK, then determine what they produce and import, whether it falls under KKDIK scope, whether the substance is in the registration scope, whether the substance is an isolated intermediate, whether the produced or imported substance exceeds 1 tonne, and follow the steps relating to the calculation of substance quantities. Emphasising the importance of the KKDIK regulation which harmonises REACH, İKMİB Board Chairman Murat Akyüz said: "Today, China, South Korea, Russia, Malaysia, Taiwan and now Turkey have adopted chemical policies modelled on REACH. Among the objectives of this regulation, ensuring high levels of protection for human health and the environment, encouraging alternative methods for evaluating the hazards of substances, and increasing competition and innovation will bring these benefits. While the harmonisation and implementation of environmental legislation is a challenging process, in the long term the benefits it brings in terms of public health, environment and competition are more apparent." Emphasising the need for guidance and support from the Ministry in meeting obligations during this process, Akyüz stated: "In this context, particularly for substances produced and imported in quantities of 1 tonne and above per year, I wish to convey our companies' responsibilities and that the seminar, where applications will be detailed under the new regulation, will be productive for our companies."

KKDIK Regulation Came Into Force on 23 December 2017

The KKDIK Regulation, prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation, came into force on 23 December 2017. While the regulation provides a transition period, it requires manufacturers to electronically register chemical raw materials produced or imported in quantities exceeding 1 tonne per year to a system established by the Ministry. The restrictions on hazardous chemicals applied under the European REACH Regulation are now being implemented in Turkey under the new regulation. Furthermore, the regulation will impose information provision and authorisation obligations on manufacturers regarding certain chemicals of high importance. KKDIK affects not only chemical manufacturer companies but also finished and semi-finished product manufacturer companies.