Updated to 16 September 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 431 of 2025)
All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.
Chemicals Act 2008
No. 13 of 2008
Contents
Commencement
| Section | Commencement/Effective Date Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
|
Commencement Information |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Act | 15 July 2008 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Commencement) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 273 of 2008), art. 2 |
Amendments and other effects
| How Affected | Affecting Provision | Affecting Provision Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
|
Commencement Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application extended | Chemicals (Asbestos Articles) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 248 of 2011), regs. 8(4), 9(6) | 31 May 2011 | Chemicals (Asbestos Articles) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 248 of 2011) |
| Transfer of certain functions under | Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011), arts. 1(2), 3, schedule 1 | 29 July 2011 | Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 418 of 2011), art. 1(2), |
| S. 2(1) amended | Chemicals Act 2008 (Rotterdam Regulation) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 213 of 2019), reg. 3(b) | 10 May 2019 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Rotterdam Regulation) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 213 of 2019) |
| Data Protection Act 2018 (7/2018), ss. 1(3), 209 | 25 May 2018 | Data Protection Act 2018 (Commencement) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 174 of 2018), art. 3 | |
| Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 209 of 2015), regs. 5, 6(1)(a), (b) | 27 May 2015 | Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 209 of 2015) | |
| Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 2(a)-2(g), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 | |
| S. 2(1)(a) substituted | Chemicals Act 2008 (Rotterdam Regulation) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 213 of 2019), reg. 3(a) | 30 April 2019 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Rotterdam Regulation) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 213 of 2019) |
| S. 2(1)(c) amended | Chemicals Act 2008 (Clp Regulation) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 723 of 2024), reg. 2 | 17 December 2024 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Clp Regulation) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 723 of 2024) |
| S. 5(2)(a) substituted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 3(a), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 5(3)(a) substituted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 3(b)(i), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 5(3)(b)(i) deleted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 3(b)(ii), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 5(3)(d) amended | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 3(b)(iii), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 5(5)(b), (6)(a) functions transferred | Climate Action and Environment (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 393 of 2016), arts. 1(2), 3(1)(a) and sch. 1 | 22 July 2016 | Climate Action and Environment (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 393 of 2016), art. 1(2) |
| S. 5(7) deleted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 3(c), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 8(1)(a) substituted | Chemicals Act 2008 (Rotterdam Regulation) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 213 of 2019), reg. 4(a)(i) | 30 April 2019 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Rotterdam Regulation) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 213 of 2019) |
| S. 8(1)(b) amended | Chemicals Act 2008 (Rotterdam Regulation) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 213 of 2019), reg. 4(a)(ii) | 30 April 2019 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Rotterdam Regulation) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 213 of 2019), |
| S. 8(1)(c) amended | Chemicals Act 2008 (Rotterdam Regulation) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 213 of 2019), reg. 4(a)(iii) | 30 April 2019 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Rotterdam Regulation) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 213 of 2019), |
| S. 8(2)(c) substituted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 4(a), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 8(3)(c) amended | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023), reg. 3(a) | 26 October 2023 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023) |
| S. 8(3)(d) inserted | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023), reg. 3(b) | 26 October 2023 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023) |
| S. 8(3A) inserted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 4(b), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 8(3B) inserted | Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 209 of 2015), regs. 5, 6(2) | 27 May 2015 | Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 209 of 2015), reg. 5 |
| S. 8(6) amended | Chemicals Act 2008 (Rotterdam Regulation) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 213 of 2019), reg. 4(b) | 30 April 2019 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Rotterdam Regulation) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 213 of 2019), |
| S. 9(8)(b) substituted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 5, 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 10 applied | Chemicals (Asbestos Articles) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 248 of 2011), reg. 13 | 31 May 2011 | Chemicals (Asbestos Articles) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 248 of 2011) |
| S. 14(1) amended | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 6(a), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 14(2)(b) amended | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 6(b), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 14(3) substituted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 6(c), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 14(4) inserted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 6(d), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 14(5) inserted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 6(d), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 14(6) inserted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 6(d), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 14(7) inserted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 6(d), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 15(1)(b) substituted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 7(a), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 15(1)(c) inserted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 7(b), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 15(1)(d) inserted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 7(b), 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 16(1) substituted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 8, 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 25 renumbered as s. 25(1) | Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (No. 14 of 2014) ss. 1(2), 24(1), schedule 4, pt. 1, item 9 | 15 July 2014 | Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (Commencement) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 327 of 2014), art. 2 |
| S. 25(2) inserted | Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (No. 14 of 2014) ss. 1(2), 24(1), schedule 4, pt. 1, item 9 | 15 July 2014 | Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (Commencement) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 327 of 2014), art. 2 |
| S. 26(1A) inserted | Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (No. 14 of 2014) ss. 1(2), 24(1), schedule 4, pt. 1, item 9 | 15 July 2014 | Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (Commencement) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 327 of 2014), art. 2 |
| S. 26(2) references construed | Workplace Relations Act 2015 (No. 16 of 2015) ss. 1(2), 66(2), 66(3) | Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 1(2) | |
| S. 26(2)-(3) amended | Workplace Relations Act 2015 (No. 16 of 2015), ss. 1(2), 52(1), 52(3), schedule 7, pt. 1, item 25 | 1 October 2015 | Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2 |
| S. 26(4) repealed | Workplace Relations Act 2015 (No. 16 of 2015), ss. 1(2), 8(1), 8(2), 8(7), schedule 2, pt. 1, ref. 24 | 1 October 2015 | Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2 |
| S. 26(5) substituted | Workplace Relations Act 2015 (No. 16 of 2015), ss. 1(2), 52(1), 52(3), schedule 7, pt. 1, item 25 | 1 October 2015 | Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2 |
| S. 26(6) repealed | Workplace Relations Act 2015 (No. 16 of 2015), ss. 1(2), 8(1), 8(2), 8(7), schedule 2, pt. 1, ref. 24 | 1 October 2015 | Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2 |
| S. 26(6A) inserted | Workplace Relations Act 2015 (No. 16 of 2015), ss. 1(2), 52(1), 52(3) schedule 7, pt. 1, item 25 | 1 October 2015 | Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2 |
| S. 29(3)(e) amended | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023), reg. 4(a) | 26 October 2023 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023) |
| S. 29(3)(f) amended | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023), reg. 4(b) | 26 October 2023 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023) |
| S. 29(3)(g) inserted | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023), reg. 4(c) | 26 October 2023 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023) |
| S. 29(3A) inserted | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 9, 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 30(1) amended | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023), reg. 5(a) | 26 October 2023 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023) |
| S. 30(1)(a) amended | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 10, 13(4) | 10 December 2010 | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010, (No. 591 of 2010), art. 2 |
| S. 30(2A) inserted | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023), reg. 5(b) | 26 October 2023 | Chemicals Act 2008 (Lead in Gunshot in or around Wetlands) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 517 of 2023) |
SIs made under the Act
| Section | SIs made under the Act |
|---|---|
| S. 5 | Chemicals (Asbestos Articles) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 248 of 2011) |
| S. 5(2)(a) | Chemicals Act 2008 (Rotterdam Regulation) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 213 of 2019) |
| Chemicals Act (CLP Regulation) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 102 of 2011) | |
| S. 5(2)(b) | Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 209 of 2015) |