A Review of the Regulatory Landscape on Management of Chemicals in Argentina

Argentina is the second largest economy in South America, and it ranks third in all Latin America in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With a population nearing 45 million people and a significant amount of natural resources, it is regarded as an emerging economy. Industrial production accounts for approximately 22%of the country’s GDP,1 and the country’s imports amount to approximately $67 billion,2 with chemical products taking almost 15% of those imports. It is therefore an attractive destination for exports coming from European chemical companies. Overall, the European Economic Area accounts for almost 20% of the total imports in Argentina. As is the case in many Latin American countries, the regulatory system currently established in Argentina, in relation to themanagement of chemicals, is somewhat complex and heterogeneous. Different pieces of legislation are in place that impact themanufacture, import and commercialisation of chemicals in the country, which frequently involve a wide variety of ministries, secretariats, and offices. It is useful to become familiarised with those regulatory bodies. The following list highlights the main regulatory actors involved in the management of chemical products in Argentina. • Secretaría de Gobierno de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible (SGAyDS) –Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development • Ministerio de Salud y Desarrollo Social – Ministry of Health and Social Development • Superintendencia de Riesgos del Trabajo (SRT) – Superintendence of Labour Risks • Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca (MAGPyA) – Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Rising and Fishery • Instituto Nacional de Alimentos (INAL) National Food Institute’ • Administración Nacional de Medicamentos, Alimentos y Tecnología Médica (ANMAT) National Administration for Drugs, Food andMedical Technology • Dirección deVigilancia de Productos para la Salud (DVS) – Directorate for Health Products Survelliance (under ANMAT) • Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASA) – National Service for Agricultural Food Health and Quality • Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación (IRAM) – Argentina Institute for Normalization and Certification