Article 3 4.

When preparing a proposal to the Council, pursuant to Article 218(9) TFEU, for the listing of a substance in accordance with the provisions of the Convention, the Commission shall be supported by the European Chemicals Agency (‘the Agency’), established by Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, as referred to in point (c) of Article 8(1). The competent authorities of Member States may forward proposals for listing to the Commission. In the further stages of the listing process, the Agency shall provide support to the Commission and the competent authorities of the Member States, as referred to in point (e) of Article 8(1).