1. Legal Basis
Article 2 (3) of Regulation no. 1907/2006/EC (REACH) stipulates that Member States may allow for exemptions from this Regulation, in specific cases for certain substances, on their own, in a mixture or in an article, where necessary in the interests of defence.
The Department of Labour Inspection of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance is the Competent Authority of Cyprus for REACH and may grant an exemption according to article 2(3) of the REACH Regulation.
2. Description of National Procedure
Exemptions based on the provisions of Article 2(3) of the REACH Regulation refer exclusively to defence products already provided or to be provided to the Cypriot armed forces.
When an exemption is to be requested, an application should be submitted to the Department of Labour Inspection. For the approval of the requested exemption the following procedure applies:
- The Department of Labour Inspection may grant exemption/exemptions provided the chemicals involved are characterized as necessary in the interests of defence and admissible under Community law.
- When exemptions are granted, sufficient protection of all employees who may come into contact with the relevant substance or its reaction products as well as environmental protection must be guaranteed. To be able to evaluate how this protection can be achieved the request for approval of exemption from the REACH Regulation must include an exemption dossier. This dossier should be based on the minimum Requirements identified in the ‘Framework for applying for a Defense Exemption from a Requirement of REACH’, as reflected in the EDA Code of Conduct on REACH Defence Exemptions adopted by EDA participating Member States in March 2015, and published on the website of EDA.
- The Department of Labour Inspection will decide whether further documents should be submitted.
- The applicant should comply with the conditions imposed when exemptions are granted.
Third parties like importers to European Union and manufactures should consider, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence, during the procurement procedure, any need for request of defence exemptions.
3. Description of National Safeguard Measures
Suppliers will comply with the provisions of the national legislation regarding Occupational Health and Safety, the Chemical Substances legislation and the protection of the environment, throughout the substance/mixture or article life cycle, including disposal.
4. National Bodies Involved
The Department of Labor Inspection of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance.
The Ministry of Defence
5. Where to File an Application
Department of Labour Inspection
1493 Cyprus
Tel.: +357 22405623
E-Mail: info@dli.mlsi.gov.cy
It is recommended to have a preliminary contact with the Department of Labour Inspection.
6. Conditions/Procedures for Acknowledgment/Recognition of Foreign Defence Exemptions
Foreign defence exemptions are taken into consideration during the national procedure, however the exemption decision will be based on a separate national assessment.
7. Number of Exemptions Granted
No valid exemptions.
8. Contact Info
Department of Labor Inspection: info@dli.mlsi.gov.cy
Cyprus Ministry of Defense
Central Point of Contact to EDA : cepoc@mod.gov.cy
National Armaments Directorate PoC to EDA : nadspoc@mod.gov.cy
9. Links to national web sites
The Department of Labor Inspection http://www.mlsi.gov.cy/dli
Cyprus Ministry of Defense http://www.mod.gov.cy
Page Last Updated: 26 September 2019