The chemical inspection service

In Denmark, the Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for monitoring compliance with the chemicals regulations. A specific unit in the Environmental Protection Agency – the Chemical Inspection Service – carries out practical monitoring and supervision to ensure that importers, producers and distributors of chemical substances comply with the regulations.

The work of the Chemical Inspection Service

In Denmark, the Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for monitoring compliance with the chemicals regulations.

The work is concentrated in three areas, which are:

  • areas of particular significance for health and the environment
  • areas with requirements that differ from those in the rest of the EU,
  • imports from third countries.

The person responsible may be penalized for not complying with the chemicals legislation and risks either a fine or up to two years' imprisonment – unless other legislation imposes a heavier sentence.
The Chemical Inspection Service may demand that illegal products are rendered legal or removed from the market. As a user and as an importer/distributor/producer, etc. you can inform the Chemical Inspection Service if you believe that a product does not comply with the chemicals legislation.

Chemical Inspection Service strategy

The aim of the work of the Chemical Inspection Service is to ensure public confidence in environmental and health matters with regard to the everyday use of chemical products. It is also to ensure that we meet EU requirements on inspection.

Who can expect inspection and why?

  • Inspections are levelled at products and sectors with particular risks for health and the environment.
  • Besides inspections at retailers, producers and importers are also monitored.
  • Enterprises that comply with the legislation are subject to a lesser degree of monitoring.
  • We determine the level of monitoring on the basis of a risk analysis. The analysis takes into consideration the seriousness of a potential breach and the likelihood of a breach of law occurring.

Enforcement

  • We maintain consistent enforcement, with emphasis on legal rights and proportionality so that illegal products are removed from the market.
  • We also build up a high level of professional knowledge in collaboration with other monitoring authorities in Denmark, the Nordic countries and the EU.
  • We collaborate closely with other departments of the Danish Ministry of the Environment and relevant authorities, cultivating a relationship of trust with the relevant sectors and commercial organisationsgy

Nordic and European cooperation

The Chemical Inspection Service cooperates with the Nordic and European authorities.

Nordic cooperation

The Chemical Inspection Services in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark join together in the formal "Nordic Enforcement Group" under the Nordic Council of Ministers' Nordic Chemical Group. 

The group works to set up and maintain a network of inspection service staff; to contribute jointly to selected inspection areas; and to coordinate Nordic efforts in cooperation with the rest of Europe. 

Read the reports on the website of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

European cooperation

The website of other Nordic authorities:

Norway www.miljødirektoratet.no

Sweden www.kemi.se

Finland www.valvira.fi

Iceland www.ust.is

Contact

Contact information to the Chemical Inspection Service:
kemikalieinspektionen@mst.dk