Chile has officially released its first national chemical inventory, becoming the first country in Latin America to establish such a registry. Modelled on the EU REACH framework, the inventory lists hazardous industrial-use substances notified under Decree No. 57/2021 up to September 30, 2024. For overseas chemical exporters and distributors, this marks a critical shift: any harmful industrial substance not listed will now be treated as "new" and subject to mandatory registration before import, directly affecting supply-chain planning and compliance costs for shipments into Chile.
Inventory scope and legal basis
The inventory covers hazardous substances for industrial use that were notified under Decree No. 57/2021, with the notification deadline set at September 30, 2024. The full list is accessible via Chile's Ministry of the Environment platform at https://plataformasqi.mma.gob.cl/producer/notification/planillaexcel. This inventory is guided by the EU REACH regulation, aligning Chile's chemical management with international standards and creating a baseline for future regulatory actions.
Definition and compliance for "new" substances
Any harmful industrial-use substance not listed in the inventory will be classified as a "new" substance. For such substances, importers must complete a registration process before bringing them into Chile if the annual volume exceeds 1 ton. This requirement ensures that all new chemicals entering the country undergo risk assessment to protect human health and the environment, directly impacting sourcing decisions for overseas suppliers.
Registration deadlines by use category
Registration deadlines vary by substance type and intended use. For hazardous substances for industrial use, the notification deadline was September 30, 2024. For non-industrial use (professional and consumer), the deadline is August 30, 2025, starting February 9, 2025. Hazardous mixtures for industrial use have a tentative deadline of August 30, 2027, while those for non-industrial use face a tentative deadline of August 30, 2029. These dates remain subject to change pending official announcements.
What buyers should watch
Substances not listed in the inventory—such as non-hazardous substances or those below 1 ton per year—may create confusion due to a lack of official guidance. The start dates for hazardous mixture registration are not yet fully confirmed and could shift. Overseas importers and distributors should regularly monitor Chile's Ministry of the Environment website for updates. Proactive compliance planning is advised to avoid shipment delays or regulatory penalties.
Source: Read the original report | Published: January 15, 2025