Manufacture of hazardous chemical substances and mixtures and sale of toxic substances
Field of activity No. 3 under the Trade Licensing Act.
What you need: Specific expertise set by law (education, experience, certification).
- Vázaná živnost
- Field No. 3
- See conditions below
- 8 activity examples
A regulated trade (field No 3 of Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act) entitling the holder to manufacture hazardous chemical substances and mixtures and to sell substances and mixtures classified as highly toxic and toxic. Professional qualification must be documented by specific education and practice under Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act and cannot be replaced by mere general practice.
Professional qualification under Section 7, Section 24 and Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act - it is sufficient to meet one of the following options:
A university degree in a programme focused on chemistry, mining, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, fire protection, food production, medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, natural sciences, agriculture or forestry + 1 year of practice in the field.
Higher vocational education in chemistry, mining, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, fire protection, electrical engineering, healthcare, pharmacy, veterinary sciences, agriculture or forestry + 3 years of practice in the field.
Secondary education with a school-leaving (maturita) examination in one of the above fields + 3 years of practice in the field.
A certificate of retraining or another document on professional qualification for the relevant work activity issued by an accredited institution, or documents under the Trade Licensing Act + 4 years of practice in the field.
Professional qualification for the activity of a chemist under the Act on the recognition of the results of further education.
For the sale of highly toxic and toxic substances and mixtures, practice in the field is additionally required, in one of the following variants: 5 years of continuous practice as an entrepreneur or senior employee; or 2 years of such practice together with professional education; or 3 years of such practice together with a certificate of retraining; or 4 years of practice as an ordinary employee together with professional education.
For a regulated trade, professional qualification cannot be replaced merely by general practice. The conditions may be met through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act; one person may act as responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.
Examples of activities
- Manufacture of hazardous chemical substances and chemical mixtures (e.g. thinners, solvents, cleaning and disinfecting preparations, adhesives)
- Manufacture of substances classified as toxic or highly toxic for industrial or laboratory use
- Wholesale and retail sale of chemical substances and mixtures classified as highly toxic and toxic
- Supplying toxic and highly toxic chemicals to laboratories, research facilities and industrial operations
- Manufacture of plant protection products and biocidal preparations containing hazardous substances
- Preparation and filling of toxic and highly toxic mixtures into packaging for further distribution
- Manufacture of laboratory reagents classified as hazardous substances
- Supplying drugstores and specialist shops with classified chemical mixtures
What this trade is and what it is for
This regulated trade (field No 3 of Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act) entitles the holder to the manufacture of hazardous chemical substances and hazardous chemical mixtures and at the same time to the sale of chemical substances and mixtures classified as highly toxic and toxic. It is one of the most professionally demanding trades in the field of chemistry, because it concerns substances that may endanger human health and the environment.
The classification, packaging and labelling of these substances are governed directly by directly applicable EU legislation (the CLP and REACH Regulations), while the business authorisation itself is governed by the Trade Licensing Act. Doing business therefore combines meeting the trade conditions with compliance with chemical legislation.
What this trade covers (and what it does not)
The trade covers in particular:
- manufacture of hazardous chemical substances and mixtures (thinners, solvents, adhesives, cleaning and disinfecting preparations),
- manufacture of substances classified as toxic and highly toxic,
- wholesale and retail sale of highly toxic and toxic substances and mixtures,
- filling and packaging of these substances for further distribution.
What does not belong here: The sale of ordinary (not highly toxic and toxic) chemicals and drugstore goods to the end consumer generally falls under an unqualified (free) trade. The handling of highly hazardous chemical substances connected with protection against misuse, the manufacture and processing of explosives, or carrying on activities under the Act on the prevention of major accidents may be subject to separate regimes and permits. In borderline cases we recommend enquiring directly with the Trade Licensing Office.
Conditions for obtaining the trade under the law
The applicant must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act - full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. Neither medical fitness nor liability insurance is required for this trade. At the same time, no obstacle to carrying on a trade under Section 8 of the Trade Licensing Act may exist (for example ongoing bankruptcy or a prohibition of activity imposed by a court or an administrative authority).
You must also demonstrate professional qualification under Section 7, Section 24 and Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act. For a regulated trade the professional qualification is laid down separately and cannot be replaced by mere general practice as with a craft trade. It is sufficient to meet one of the following options:
| Education | Required practice |
|---|---|
| University (chemistry, mining, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, fire protection, food production, medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, natural sciences, agriculture, forestry) | 1 year |
| Higher vocational education in the above fields | 3 years |
| Secondary education with a school-leaving examination in the above fields | 3 years |
| Retraining course / document on qualification / documents under the Trade Licensing Act | 4 years |
| Professional qualification for the activity of a chemist | as per the qualification conditions |
For the sale of highly toxic and toxic substances, practice in the field is additionally required, in one of the following variants: 5 years of continuous practice as an entrepreneur or senior employee; or 2 years of such practice together with professional education; or 3 years of such practice together with a certificate of retraining; or 4 years of practice as an ordinary employee together with professional education.
If you do not meet the professional qualification yourself, you may ensure it through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act - a person who meets both the professional and general conditions and is liable for the proper operation of the trade. One person may act as responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.
How to notify the trade step by step
- Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF).
- Submit the notification - in person at any Trade Licensing Office (municipal Trade Licensing Office), online via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or through Czech POINT.
- Document professional qualification (diplomas, certificates, proof of practice, or the documents of the responsible representative).
- Pay the administrative fee.
- The Trade Licensing Office will make the entry in the Trade Register usually within 5 working days of notification. The licence arises as early as the day of notification, provided you meet the conditions.
You will find the detailed procedure in the guide Jak zalozit zivnost.
Documents and fees
- a completed Unified Registration Form (JRF),
- proof of identity,
- documents proving professional qualification (education + practice); for the sale of toxic substances also the corresponding practice (5 years, or shorter practice combined with education or a retraining course),
- for a responsible representative, their documents and consent to the appointment,
- administrative fee: CZK 1,000 on notification (CZK 800 for the first electronic submission via rzp.gov.cz).
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace the qualification with many years of practice in the field?
No. For a regulated trade the professional qualification is laid down directly in Annex 2 to the Act and practice alone does not replace it - you must meet a combination of education and practice under one of the options, or appoint a responsible representative.
Do the conditions differ for manufacture and for the sale of toxic substances?
Yes. For manufacture, the relevant education and practice (1-4 years) are sufficient. For the sale of highly toxic and toxic substances, practice in the field is additionally required - usually 5 years as an entrepreneur or senior employee, or shorter practice (2-4 years) combined with education or a retraining course.
Do I need any permit besides the trade licence?
The trade licence is the basis. When actually handling the substances you must comply with EU legislation (CLP, REACH) and the Chemicals Act; verify the specific obligations with the relevant authorities.
When can I start doing business?
The licence arises on the day of notification, provided you meet all the conditions. The office will make the entry in the register usually within 5 working days.