Retail of chemicals
There are certain special provisions governing the retail sale of chemicals.
A sale must be refused if there is reason to suspect that a chemical is being purchased for intoxication purposes or to be used in a manner that poses a particular health hazard otherwise. Laughing gas or glues, for example, should not be sold if there is reason to suspect that they would be used for intoxication purposes, and household chemicals should not be sold if there is reason to suspect that they would be used to make explosives.
The retail sale of toxic chemicals is governed by further special provisions on
- storage conditions,
- age limits, and
- pharmacy sales.
Toxic chemicals are chemicals in categories 1–3 that cause acute damage to health. Toxic chemicals can be identified by the skull and crossbones symbol and toxicity warnings.
Checklist for toxic chemical sales
- Toxic chemicals must be stored in a locked space. This also applies to fuels containing methanol. Other fuels do not need to be stored in a locked space.
- Toxic chemicals must not be sold to anyone under the age of 18. There is no age limit for fuels, but fuels containing methanol may only be sold to minors with their guardian’s written consent.
- All customers purchasing toxic chemicals from a pharmacy must fill in a form indicating their personal details and contact information as well as the name and volume of the chemical purchased and its intended use. The purchaser must provide proof of identity and date and sign the form. The pharmacy must keep the form for a period of five years.
