Registration

Organisations working with dangerous substances are obliged to register these substances. This is an obligation under the Working Conditions Act. All UMCs have their own electronic register. The register contains a number of essential details for each type of dangerous substance. You can read more about this in the 'What to register' section. By registering dangerous substances, the UMCs meet the requirements set by the Working Conditions Act, but also the agreements laid down in the UMC OHS Catalogue.

Safety information is linked to the substances in this register. It is important for staff to have easy, unobstructed access to information about the substances they work with, so they can familiarise themselves with the hazards associated with a substance. The measures to be taken to work safely with the dangerous substance and the measures to be taken in the event of an emergency are known.

Any dangerous substance present at a UMC must be entered in the register of dangerous substances. The way the register is populated and the safety information is managed may vary from UMC to UMC. In addition, an annual list must be provided of the quantity of dangerous substances purchased and the quantity of hazardous waste removed.

Coordinate in your organisation how and by whom new substances are to be entered in the registration and information system for dangerous substances and how its management is organised.

The register must contain at least the following information for each dangerous substance:

• Name of the substance (product name) and identification data;
• Composition of the simple substance or mixture;
• The hazard category and/or additional information;
• The H and P phrases or R phrases and S phrases;
• The quantities;
• The location or department where the substance is located.

All UMCs have a central electronic register that meets the statutory requirements for the registration of dangerous substances.

What are dangerous substances.

CMR substances

For a number of substances, the regular registration requirements do not suffice. This applies to the group of CMR substances (carcinogenic - mutagenic - reprotoxic). For substances that may be harmful through breast-feeding, the following additional data needs to be registered:

• The quantity of the substance manufactured, used or present per year;
• The number of staff who may be exposed in the workplace;
• The nature of the work carried out with the substances listed above;
• The manner in which staff are exposed.

It is recommended that the registration of these substances be the same as that of carcinogenic and mutagenic substances. To this end, you must also register the following data:

• The reason why use is strictly necessary and the substance cannot be replaced with a safer alternative;
• The protective measures taken.

Other substances

Additional registration requirements for the following substances can be found in the Dangerous Substances / Substances Requiring Closer Attention Directive section. These are the substances that fall into the group of:

• Carcinogenic and mutagenic substances;
• Radioactive substances;
• Cryogenic substances;
• Gases;
• Biological agents;
• Medicines;
• Cleaners and disinfectants.

Registration requirements for staff and situations

In addition to the registration requirements that apply to the substances used, there are also registration requirements for staff who work with the substances and who are or may be exposed to them.