Chile adapts transport and storage legislation to new chemicals management framework

In 2019, Chile adopted Supreme Decree 57 (DS/57), on the Classification, Labelling and Notification of Chemical Substances. DS/57 seeks to comprehensively implement the UN GHS in Chile, as well as introduce several other chemicals management instruments, such as a register of substances placed in the market. 

Now, Chilean authorities are adapting pieces of legislation preceding DS/57 to align them to the Decree’s requirements. This is because, while DS/57 introduces unified legislation on the GHS, previous regulation had already introduced aspects of it in a more piecemeal manner (leading ot inconsistencies in the regulatory framework). 

Decree 60 of the Ministry of Health, published in August 17, introduces changes to Supreme Decree 43 of 2015, establishing regulations for the storage of hazardous substances. Until these modifications, SDSs required under Supreme Decree 43 had to be in accordance with a standard on the topic approved by the Chilean Institute for Standardization (Chilean Norm 2245). As per the changes introduced, SDSs will now have to follow the indications set in DS/57. 

Regarding the transport of dangerous goods, Decree 40 of the Ministry of Transport has introduced the same clarification on the format of SDSs. Moreover, it also requires packaging labelling to be in accordance with the provisions of DS/57 (until now, such labelling was governed by Chilean Norm 2190). 

The changes highlight how Chilean authorities are advancing towards comprehensive and unified chemicals management in the country. In addition to implementing the UN GHS, DS/57 also introduces notification and obligations, starting in August 2024. To learn more about the obligations introduced by DS/57, you can re-watch our webinar on it.