A- and B-substances
For some of the cancirogenic, sensitizing or substances toxic to the reproduction a permit from the Swedish Work Environment Authorithy is required before handling the substances. When ordering such substances the supplier will ask about the permit before taking the order. The substances that requires permits are listed in Appendix 1 to the provision on Chemical Hazards in the Working Environment 2011:19. The two groups of substances in appendix 1 are called A- and B-substances.
Group A
Substances from group A in the appendix may not be handled but there are some exceptions where a permit from the Swedish Work Environment Authority can be obtained. One exception could be researching a carcinogenic substance's effects. The same applies for chemical products which contain such a substance as contamination at a level of 0.1 weight per cent or more. All substances in group A are classified as cancirogenic.
Group B
Substances from group B may not be handled without permission from the Swedish Work Environment Authority. It also applies for products that contains such a substance at a level of 1 weight percent or more. The substances in group B are classified as cancirogenic, sensitizing or toxic to the reproduction.
Permit application
The application should be made by the department where the substance will be handled. The application shall be made in accordance to §49 in provision 2011:19 Chemical Hazards in the Working environment. Send the application to the Chemical coordinator at the division for Environment and Work Environment where it will be administrated and sent to the Swedish Work Environment Authority. The processing time for the application can be around three months. The authority might come for an inspection before a permission is given.