There are many rules restricting chemicals in for example:

• Electronics
• Construction products
• Clothing and footwear
• Jewellery 
• Essential oils 
• Scented candles 
• Toys
• Furniture and home furnishings
• Packaging
• Laundry and dishwashing detergents 
• Car care products 
• Adhesives
• Paint
• Lubricating oils.

What do you need to monitor?

No matter if you are a manufacturer, importer or distributor you are responsible for the products you sell. As a business operator, you need to ensure that the products comply with the chemical regulations.

Your business is liable, regardless of where you source raw materials, materials or finished products. You cannot refer to the fact that you bought something from a supplier who must comply with the regulations.

Some substances are banned in certain products, other require you to have a permit. But for most products:

• You must know that your product does not contain banned substances.
• You can be obliged to inform your customers if the product contains certain substances.
• The product must be clearly labelled in Swedish, for example how it must be handled in order to ensure safe use.
• You may need to report the product to the products register at the Swedish Chemicals Agency.

You should:

• Investigate which chemical rules that apply to your product.
• Ask and make demands on your supplier.

Chemicals responsibility guidance at the Swedish Chemicals Agency

Manufacturers and importers are obliged to pay a chemical tax on electronics containing flame retardants.  

Chemical tax at the Swedish Tax Agency

What happens if you make a mistake?

If you, as a business operator, do not comply with the chemical regulations, you may have a sales ban imposed or be forced to recall your products from your customers. You might also be forced to pay an environmental sanctions charge. In the event of serious infringements, you could be prosecuted for environmental offences.

The Swedish Chemicals Agency, municipalities and county administrative boards are the inspection bodies who inspect enterprises to ensure that they are complying with the rules.

Hygiene products, cosmetics and foodstuffs

If you trade in foodstuffs, hygiene products or cosmetics, special rules apply regarding chemicals. In this context, hygiene products are treated as cosmetics and are subject to the same rules.

Safe food at the Swedish National Food Agency (in Swedish)

Chemicals in hygiene products and cosmetics at the Swedish Medical Products Agency (in Swedish)