Ecuador Chemical Inventory Information

Ecuador is actively enhancing its regulatory framework for chemicals management, focusing on the development of a National Chemical Inventory. This initiative aims to consolidate safety data for both industrial and consumer chemicals, addressing existing gaps in regulatory oversight and ensuring the safe handling, use, and disposal of hazardous substances. 

The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE) oversees the regulation of hazardous chemicals in Ecuador. Under Ministerial Agreement No. 061, reforms have been made to Chapter VII of the Unified Text of Secondary Legislation, specifically Articles 156 and 157, which mandate that all individuals and entities involved in the management of hazardous chemicals must obtain the Certificate of Registration of Hazardous Chemical Substances. This Certificate is essential for activities such as importing, exporting, manufacturing, storing, transporting, and distributing hazardous chemicals. 

Ecuador has established national lists to categorize and effectively manage hazardous substances: 

• Annex A: Lists hazardous chemical substances: 

List No. 1: List of Prohibited Hazardous Chemical Substances  

List No. 2: List of Hazardous Chemical Substances with Acute Toxicity  

List No. 3: National List of Hazardous Chemical Substances (Chronic Toxicity) 

• Annex B: Details hazardous wastes. 

• Annex C: Enumerates special wastes. 

These lists serve as a reference for regulatory compliance and ensure that entities handle substances appropriately based on their classification. 

 The classification of hazardous chemical substances in Ecuador follows the first revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS 1). This system provides a standardized approach to defining the health, physical, and environmental hazards of chemicals, creating classification procedures that use available data on chemicals for comparison with defined hazard criteria, and communicating hazard information through labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). 

Entities involved in the management of hazardous chemicals are required to: 

• Obtain Certification: Obtain the Certificate of Registration of Hazardous Chemical Substances from MAATE, which involves submitting detailed information on the properties, hazards, and intended uses of the chemicals. 

• Comply with National Listings: Adhere to the classifications and management guidelines of the national lists to ensure safe handling and environmental protection. 

• Implement Safety Measures: Ensure proper labelling, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous chemicals in accordance with national standards to reduce risks to public health and the environment. 

Ecuador's efforts to develop a National Chemical Inventory and strengthen its regulatory framework demonstrate its commitment to improving chemical safety and environmental protection. By consolidating safety data and enforcing strict regulations, the country aims to ensure that hazardous chemicals are managed responsibly throughout their lifecycle.