Defining the
true extent
of REACH
The SCI Health & Safety and
Environment groups have arranged a
one-day joint conference in London
on 1 November 2006 to discuss the
implications of the new Registration,
Evaluation and Authorisation of
Chemicals (REACH) legislation
which is to be implemented in 2007
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BASF, Ludwigshafen |
The introduction of Registration, Evaluation
and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) legislation
in 2007 will provide the biggest shake-up ever
experienced by the European chemical industry.
The new regulations replace the existing 40 EU
directives on chemical control and will include all
chemicals in a unified system.
REACH regulations require that approximately
30 000 chemicals produced and marketed in the EU
in quantities in excess of one tonne per year will
have to be registered along with a complete technical
dossier. Registrations of substances used in
excess of 10 tonnes per year will require a chemical
safety report with the technical dossier and must
include a chemical safety assessment.
In response to the impending ‘entry into force’ of
REACH, SCI’s Health & Safety and Environment
groups have arranged a one-day joint conference, REACH - impact of new chemical control regulations, on
Wednesday 1 November 2006 in London. Eminent
speakers from industry, competent authorities and
concerned institutions from the UK, Denmark, Germany
and Ireland will express views on REACH.
Since the introduction of the sixth amendment
in 1979 to the original directive EEC/67/548 on classification,
packaging and labelling, there has been a
major division in the approach to chemical regulations
in the EU. At present approximately 100 000
‘existing’ chemicals (chemicals used before and
notified to the EU inventory in 1981) required limited
hazard and risk assessment, while nearly 2700
‘new’ chemicals (chemicals developed or imported
after 1981) require increasingly demanding testing
if their annual production increases beyond 10
tonnes.
Prioritising implementation
Initial priority in the adoption of the legislation will
be given to chemicals produced in high volumes, in
excess of 100 tonnes per year, as well as carcinogenic,
mutagenic and hazardous to reproduction (CMR)
substances. These provisions will be progressively
applied to all substances used in the EU.
The REACH regulations will also propose that substances
of ‘very high concern’ will need to be authorised,
irrespective of quantities used, and will
require a chemical safety report and a chemical
safety assessment. This category includes all CMR,
persistent bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substances.
REACH has proved to be a one of the most controversial
regulations introduced in the EU. The captains
of the Europe’s chemical industry fear that it
will initiate the exodus of businesses to less well regulated
regions such as the US, China, India and
other developing countries. Trade unions, environmental
groups and concerned citizens believe that
REACH does not go far enough, and would like to
see a total ban on all untested substances. Testing
laboratories welcome the prospect of continuing
business expansion but are worried about timescale
and material shortages. The animal protection and
anti vivisection groups are up in arms about the
potential volume of animal testing needed and the
regulatory authorities are gearing up to meet the
anticipated volume of registrations, paperwork and
monitoring a large number of chemicals.
This event will be of interest to all whose work
touches on the use and registration of chemicals to
comply with REACH legislation.
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