Chemical products

Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)

The objective of the Grand-Ducal Regulation of 5 July 2004 concerning the inspection and verification of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) is to ensure reliable and high-quality trial data is obtained on the safety of industrial chemical preparations and substances, within the framework of the harmonisation of trial procedures, to ensure mutual acceptance of the data.
The institute ensures communication and coordination at a national level between the Good Laboratory Practices verification authorities.

The Luxembourg Institute of Standardisation, Accreditation, Safety and Quality of Products and Services (Institut luxembourgeois de la normalisation, de l’accréditation, de la sécurité et qualité) organises GLP audits at a national level and ensures communication and coordination at the national and international level between the Good Laboratory Practices verification authorities.

The authorities responsible for monitoring conformity (in line with their respective legal powers) are the Environment Agency, the National Health Laboratory, the Water Management Authority, the Inspectorate of Labour and Mines and the Administration of Technical Agriculture Services.

Picric acid

Picric acid is a chemical substance of variable classification.

When wet, (phlegmatized) with 30% water, this substance is classified in the category of inflammable and toxic solids.

However, if picric acid starts to dry, explosive crystals form. It then becomes very sensitive to shocks, to heat and to friction, with an increased risk of explosion.

Advice

• Check and identify the chemical products in your establishment, including laboratory reagents and hazardous waste.
• Consult the safety data sheets for your hazardous substances and products.
• Adhere to the provisions of the Grand-Ducal Regulation of 14 November 2016 concerning the protection of the health and safety of workers against the risks associated with chemical agents in the workplace.

Principle of substitution

Replace hazardous substances with less hazardous substances.

Nanoparticles

Due to the lack of knowledge on the dangers to human health related to the manufacture of nano-objects and the use of products that contain them, there is currently no national/European legislation applicable to this domain.

This is why precautionary measures must be defined and put in place until there is more knowledge on the impact of professional exposure to nano-objects and nanomaterials, and the corresponding risks to health.

The amended Grand-Ducal Regulation of 14 November 2016 concerning the protection of the health and safety of workers against the risks associated with chemical agents in the workplace defines some general principles even if they are not referred to specifically.

A recommendation for trial and development laboratories that use nanoparticles, which was drawn up by the Inspectorate of Labour and Mines also defines some general principles in this area.

Relevant legislation

The registration, evaluation, classification, labelling and packaging of chemical products are defined by the European regulations known as "REACH" and "CLP". The national application of these regulations is laid down by the Law of 16 December 2011.

Chemical, carcinogenic or mutagenic agents are regulated by the following provisions:

• Grand-Ducal Regulation of 14 November 2016 concerning the protection of the health and safety of workers against the risks associated with chemical agents in the workplace.
• Grand-Ducal Regulation of 14 November 2016 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work;