Artikel 1

1. This Convention applies to all branches of economic activity in which chemicals are used.
2. The competent authority of a Member ratifying this Convention, after consulting the most representative organisations of employers and workers concerned, and on the basis of an assessment of the hazards involved and the protective measures to be applied:
a) may exclude particular branches of economic activity, undertakings or products from the application of the Convention, or certain provisions thereof, when: (i) special problems of a substantial nature arise; and
(ii) the overall protection afforded in pursuance of national law and practice is not inferior to that which would result from the full application of the provisions of the Convention;
(i) special problems of a substantial nature arise; and
(ii) the overall protection afforded in pursuance of national law and practice is not inferior to that which would result from the full application of the provisions of the Convention;
b) shall make special provision to protect confidential information whose disclosure to a competitor would be liable to cause harm to an employer's business so long as the safety and health of workers are not compromised thereby.
3. This Convention does not apply to articles which will not expose workers to a hazardous chemical under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use.
4. This Convention does not apply to organisms, but does apply to chemicals derived from organisms.