DIVISIONS UNDER THE CHEMICAL EVALUATION AND RESEARCH DIRECTORATE

1. CHEMICAL IMPORT CONTROL DIVISION

The Division is responsible for:

• Issuance of permit to import Industrial and Laboratory chemicals.
• Evaluation of applications and relevant documents such as Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
• Evaluation of level of usage of permits issued for Industrial and Laboratory chemicals.
• Liaising with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on chemical management
• Making recommendations on the possible reclassification of chemicals.
• Strengthening the regulatory control of chemicals through development, review and harmonization of regulations, guidelines, checklists and Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs).

2. AGRO-CHEMICAL AND RESTRICTED CHEMICALS

The Division is responsible for:

• Issuance of permit to import and clear restricted and agrochemicals.
• Evaluation of applications and relevant documents such as Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), proforma invoice, etc
• Monitoring the utilization of restricted and Agro-chemicals
• Liaising with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on chemical management
• Making recommendations on the possible reclassification of chemicals.
• Collaboration with international chemical control organizations such as Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapon, Montreal Protocol, Stockholm Convention etc.
• Strengthening the regulatory control of chemicals through development, review and harmonization of regulations, guidelines, checklists and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

3. CHEMICAL   MONITORING AND RISK ASSESSMENTS

• Monitoring and Assessment of chemical storage facilities.
• Issuing of listing certificate to chemical marketers.
• Carrying out routine/surveillance inspection for warehouse of chemical marketers, manufacturers and end-users of chemical.
• Evaluation on the utilization of chemicals imported or locally sourced by company.
• To ensure that all chemical marketers are licensed by the Agency.
• To ensure that chemicals are stored in warehouses located away from residential areas.
• To ensure that good warehousing practice (GWP) is maintained all the times.
• Identification of hazards, the evaluation of their risks and putting in place of control measures to secure the health and safety of employees in line with the health and welfare act 2005.
• To ensure best practice of chemical warehouse management for all commercial warehouse operators and chemical handlers in Nigeria.

4. CHEMICAL RESEARCH & REVIEW DIVISION

OVERVIEW:

The division is the Research-Arm of the Directorate established in March, 2017 geared towards the development of novel methodology for chemical safety evaluation programs.

The Division is responsible for:

• The inspection and monitoring of Local Chemical manufacturing outfit.
• Conducts chemical security and safety programs vis-à-vis chemical emergency response.
• Creating and updating an effective chemical inventory management for imported and locally manufactured chemicals.
• Periodic review of chemical regulations in consonance with international conventions (Basel convention, Stockhom convention, Rotherdam convention, Minamata convention, SAICM, GHE etc.)
• Conducts chemical research and to partner with the industries, Academia and International organizations.