1 In this Act:
- a.
- substances means chemical elements and their compounds in the natural state or obtained by any production process. A distinction is drawn between existing and new substances:
- 1.
- substances shall be deemed to be existing substances if they are designated as such by the Federal Council,
- 2.
- all other substances shall be deemed new;
- b.
- active substances means substances and microorganisms including viruses which on account of their action are designed to be used as biocidal products or plant protection products;
- c.
- preparations means mixtures or solutions composed of two or more substances;
- d.
- biocidal products means active substances and preparations that are not plant protection products and which are designed to:
- 1.
- deter, render harmless, destroy or otherwise control harmful organisms, or
- 2.
- prevent damage from being caused by harmful organisms;
- e.
- plant protection products means active substances and preparations that are designed to:
- 1.
- protect plants and plant products against harmful organisms or prevent the action of such organisms,
- 2.
- influence the life processes of plants other than as a nutrient,
- 3.
- preserve plant products,
- 4.
- destroy unwanted plants or parts of plants, or
- 5.
- control the undesired growth of plants;
- f.
- manufacturer means any natural or legal person who, by way of profession or trade, produces or extracts substances or preparations, or imports them for professional or commercial purposes;
- g.
- notifier means any natural or legal person who notifies new substances to the notification authority, submits documentation on existing substances under review, or requests authorisation for active substances or preparations;
- h.
- notification authority means the federal authority that receives in particular notifications of new substances, documentation on existing substances under review, or requests for authorisation for active substances and preparations, as well as other submissions, coordinates the procedures and issues the necessary rulings;
- i.
- placing on the market means providing for or supplying to third parties and importing for professional or commercial purposes;
- j.
- handling means any activity in connection with substances or preparations, in particular, production, import, export, placing on the market, storage, keeping, transport, use or disposal.
2 The Federal Council may define more precisely the terms specified in paragraph 1, as well as other terms used in this Act, draw further distinctions, and, in the light of new scientific and technological knowledge and in line with international developments, make adjustments and grant exemptions.