REACH, the European Community’s program for ‘registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction’ of chemical substances saw its first round of registration close last month. REACH sets out to protect humans and the environment from dangerous compounds used in industry by identifying constituent substances. Manufacturers are required to register information on the properties of their chemicals in a central database run by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki. The Agency is working to evaluate ‘suspicious’ chemicals and is building a public database in which consumers and professionals can find information on hazardous products. Last month saw some 24,000 files submitted to the agency.
Swiss chemical giant Clariant claims to have led the field in the initial REACH phase, leveraging its toxicological, ecotoxicological and chemical know how to lead 80 out of the 150 consortia and substance information exchange forums (SIEFs) submitting to REACH. The next REACH deadline concerns less hazardous substances and will close in June 2013. Complying with REACH is a prerequisite for a company’s ability to operate in Europe. Substances not registered by the deadlines set for each phase will not be allowed to be produced, imported or sold in the EU. More from www.oilit.com/links/1101_5.
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