I. The main tasks of the Bureau for Chemical Substances and Preparations stemming from the Act on chemical substances include:

• Gathering data on dangerous mixtures, and data on the substances received from the European Chemical Agency;
• Providing medical and emergency services with the information on dangerous substances and mixtures;
• Cooperation with other EU Member States and the European Commission in the field of export and import of dangerous chemicals;
• Cooperation with other EU Member States, Switzerland, EEA-EFTA countries and the European Commission as a competent authority in the field of detergents;
• Fulfilling the tasks of the Competent Authority for the Regulations (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH), (EC) No 648/2004 (detergents) and (EC) No 689/2008 (export and import of dangerous chemicals);
• Establishing the National Helpdesk for REACH and CLP Regulations. The main task of the Helpdesk is to provide producers, importers, downstream users and other stakeholders (such as Small and Medium-sized Enterprieses in particular) with advice and guidance concerning their obligations and responsibilities under REACH and CLP Regulations;
• Cooperation with international organizations in the field of chemicals;
• Gathering and storing data on the precursors of category 2 manufactured or traded,
• Control and verification of compliance with the princoples of Good Laboratory Practice.

The tasks mainly relate to substances and mixtures used by the industry and sold to the general public. There are many groups of chemicals which are regulated by separate provisions and which do not fall under the scope of Bureau's responsibilities .The authority of the Bureau does not cover: medicinal products, foodstuffs and additives, animal feedingstuffs, plant protection products, cosmetics, munitions, invasive medicinal devices and fertilizers (where the regulations on fertilizers apply).

Dangerous mixtures
The suppliers must inform the Inspector for Chemical Substances and Preparations when they place a dangerous mixture on the market.

The Bureau:

• collects and stores information on dangerous mixtures which are currently on the market.

Drug precursors of category 2
Precursors are the so called “scheduled substances” identified in EC Regulation No 273/2004, which are often used in illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Scheduled substances are classified into three categories depending on their potential for the production of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances or other precursors. The responsibility of the Inspector lies with precursors of category 2.

The Bureau:

• receives and collects data with adresses of the premises where the precursors of category 2 are manufactured or traded.

II. Information exchange regarding chemicals

Effective protection of human health and the environment requires continuous exchange of information between the relevant institutions, organizations and all other stakeholders in the field of chemicals control.

The Bureau

• provides general information on legal regulations concerning chemical substances and mixtures;
• collects and gathers data concerning dangerous substances and dangerous mixtures;
• provides relevant information about dangerous chemical products to the emergency services;
• co-operates with international organizations and the EU institutions in matters concerning chemical substances and mixtures.

III. New legislation

The Bureau for Chemical Substances and Preparations participates in drafting and developing chemicals legislation in Poland and the EU.

The Bureau:

• participates in the work of the EU Council and the Commission during development and drafting of chemicals regulations;
• drafts the legislation, which adjusts the Polish law to the EU regulations and international agreements;
• suggests adaptations in existing legislation to the Minister of Health;
• participates in the work of the OECD and the UN concerning chemical substances and mixtures.

IV. Good Laboratory Practice

The Bureau is responsible for implementing the system of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) in Poland. GLP is a system of operatingprocedures and standars of work in test facilities, which is recognized across the European Union.

The Bureau:

• verifies the compliance with GLP by the testing facilities;
• grants or withdraws authorization for the testing facilities to carry out tests which require compliance with the GLP principles;
• monitors tests conducted in these facilities with respect to compliance with the GLP principles.