Chemical Evaluation and Research Directorate has the mandate to safeguard public health by ensuring that only the right chemicals are manufactured, imported, exported, distributed, sold and used in Nigeria. 

The directorate is structured into four (4) divisions: 

1. Chemical Import Control Division (CIC)
2. Agrochemicals and Controlled Chemicals Division (AC/CC) 
3. Chemical Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (CM&RA) 
4. Chemical Research & Review Division (CR&R) 

The functions of the divisions are listed below: 

CHEMICAL IMPORT CONTROL DIVISION (CIC) 

1. To ensure the availability of chemicals to bonafide companies through prompt issuance of permits to import Industrial and Laboratory chemicals. 
2. Evaluation of technical documents for chemicals and vetting of applications for import of chemicals.  
3. Determination of level of usage of permits issued for Industrial and Laboratory chemicals and validation of stock records.
4. Liaising with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on sound chemical management.
5. Making recommendations on the possible reclassification of chemicals.
6. Strengthening the regulatory control of chemicals through development, review and harmonization of regulations, guidelines, checklists and Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs).  

AGROCHEMICALS AND CONTROLLED CHEMICALS DIVISION (AC/CC) 

1. To ensure availability of chemicals to bonafide companies through prompt issuance of permits to import and clear Restricted Chemicals and Agro-chemicals.
2. Monitoring the utilization of Restricted Chemicals and Agro-chemicals and validation of stock records.
3. Liaising with National Ozone Office of the Federal Ministry of Environment on Ozone depleting substances.
4. Liaising with Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on chemical security and safety.
5. Liaising with National Authority on Biological and Chemical Weapons on sound management of chemicals under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
6. Collaboration with Federal Ministry of Agriculture on management of Fertilizers and Agrochemicals.
7. Making recommendations on the possible reclassification of chemicals.
8. Ensuring that Nigeria meets its obligations to the various protocols and conventions on chemicals to which the country is a signatory to.
9. Strengthening the regulatory control of chemicals through development, review and harmonization of regulations, guidelines, checklists and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).  

CHEMICAL MONITORING AND RISK ASSESSMENT DIVISION (CM&RA) 

1. Monitoring and Assessment of chemical storage facilities to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
2. Issuance of Listing Certificate (authority to market) to chemical marketers after complying with regulatory requirements.
3. Carrying out routine/surveillance inspection for warehouse of chemical marketers, manufacturers and end-users of chemicals.
4. Evaluation on the utilization of chemicals imported or locally sourced by companies and validation of stock records.
5. Ensuring sound management of Chemicals through on-site inspection.
6. Identification of hazards, evaluation of their risks and putting in place of control measures to secure the health and safety of employees and the environment.
7. Ensuring best practice of chemical warehouse management for all commercial warehouse operators and chemical handlers in Nigeria.
8. Maintaining a database of chemical marketers and all chemical storage facilities inspected in Nigeria.  

CHEMICAL RESEARCH & REVIEW DIVISION (CR&R) 

1. Inspection and monitoring of Local Chemical manufacturing plants.
2. Conduct chemical security and safety programs vis-à-vis chemical emergency response.
3. Creating and updating an effective chemical inventory management for imported and locally manufactured chemicals. 
4. Periodic review of chemical regulations in consonance with international conventions (Basel convention, Stockhom convention, Rotherdam convention, Minamata convention, SAICM, GHE etc.) 
5. Conduct chemical research and partnering with the industries, Academia and International organizations. 
6. Strengthening the regulatory control of chemicals through development, review and harmonization of regulations, guidelines, checklists and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).