1. The
Agency shall provide the
Member States and the institutions of the Community with the best possible scientific and technical advice on questions relating to
chemicals which fall within its remit and which are referred to it in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation.
2. The Secretariat shall undertake the following tasks:
(a) performing the tasks allotted to it under Title II; including facilitating the efficient
registration of
imported substances, in a way consistent with the Community's international trading obligations towards third countries;
(b) performing the tasks allotted to it under Title III;
(c) performing the tasks allotted to it under Title VI;
(d) performing the tasks allotted to it under Title VIII;
(e) establishing and maintaining database(s) with information on all
registered substances, the classification and labelling inventory and the harmonised classification and labelling list. It shall make the information
identified in Article
119(1) and (2) in the database(s) publicly available,
free of charge, over the Internet, except where a request made under Article
10(a)(xi) is considered justified. The
Agency shall make other information in the databases available on request in accordance with Article
118;
(f) making publicly available information as to which
substances are being, and have been evaluated within 90 days of receipt of the information at the
Agency, in accordance with Article
119(1);
(g) providing technical and scientific guidance and tools where appropriate for the operation of this Regulation in particular
to assist the development of chemical safety reports (in accordance with Article
14, Article
31(1) and Article
37(4)) and application of Article
10(a)(viii), Article
11(3) and Article
19(2) by industry and especially by SMEs; and technical and scientific guidance for the application of Article
7 by
producers and
importers of articles;
(h) providing technical and scientific guidance on the operation of this Regulation for Member State competent authorities
and providing support to the helpdesks established by
Member States under Title XIII;
(i) providing guidance to stakeholders including Member State competent authorities on communication to the public of information
on the risks and safe use of
substances, on their own, in preparations or in articles;
(k) preparing explanatory information on this Regulation for other stakeholders;
(l) at the Commission's request, providing technical and scientific support for steps to improve cooperation between the Community,
its
Member States, international organisations and third countries on scientific and technical issues relating to the safety of
substances, as well as active participation in technical assistance and capacity building activities on sound management of
chemicals in developing countries;
(m) keeping a Manual of Decisions and Opinions based on conclusions from the Member State Committee regarding interpretation
and implementation of this Regulation;
(n) notification of decisions taken by the
Agency;
(o) provision of formats for submission of information to the
Agency.
3. The Committees shall undertake the following tasks:
(a) performing the tasks allotted to them under Titles VI to XI;
(b) at the Executive Director's request, providing technical and scientific support for steps to improve cooperation between
the Community, its
Member States, international organisations and third countries on scientific and technical issues relating to the safety of
substances, as well as active participation in technical assistance and capacity building activities on sound management of
chemicals in developing countries;
(c) at the Executive Director's request, drawing up an opinion on any other aspects concerning the safety of
substances on their own, in preparations or in articles.
4. The Forum shall undertake the following tasks:
(a) spreading good practice and highlighting problems at Community level;
(b) proposing, coordinating and evaluating harmonised enforcement projects and joint inspections;
(c) coordinating exchange of inspectors;
(d) identifying enforcement strategies, as well as best practice in enforcement;
(e) developing working methods and tools of use to local inspectors;
(f) developing an electronic information exchange procedure;
(g) liaising with industry, taking particular account of the specific needs of SMEs, and other stakeholders, including relevant
international organisations, as necessary;
(h) examining proposals for restrictions with a view to advising on enforceability.