Minister Ćulafić: Adoption of the Chemicals Law

Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Northern Development Damjan Ćulafić stated that with the adoption of the Chemicals Law, Montenegro continues the process of aligning its national legislation with the legal acquis of the European Union in the field of chemical management, while strengthening the protection of human health and the environment. "By passing this law, Montenegro further strengthens the institutional and legal framework in the area of chemical management, introduces modern solutions in the information and monitoring system, and confirms its commitment to align environmental and public health protection standards with European practices," said Minister Ćulafić. The Minister also noted that this Law regulates the classification, labeling, packaging, production, use, testing, placing on the market, export, and import of chemical substances, mixtures, and products, as well as other issues of importance for protecting human health and the environment from the harmful effects of chemicals, in accordance with the precautionary principle. According to him, the "digital label" represents an additional instrument for transparency, information accessibility, and modernization of the user information system, ensuring free access to data without registration, user privacy protection, and long-term data availability. One of the significant innovations of the law, Minister Ćulafić highlighted, is the establishment of a competent body for receiving information necessary for providing emergency medical assistance in cases of poisoning—the Center for Hospital Epidemiology and Toxicology within the Clinical Center of Montenegro. "The new law represents an important step forward in improving the chemical management system, strengthening inter-institutional cooperation, and more effective protection of citizens and the environment, while fulfilling Montenegro's obligations in the process of accession to the European Union," he concluded.