REACH Background
Alemare Solutions Limited provides advice and support to companies that must comply with the REACH Regulation.
What is REACH?
REACH is short for Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals.
The European Regulation (EC) 1906/2007 (REACH) deals with the safety of chemicals. It affects every company that manufactures, imports, uses or distributes chemicals within the EU. REACH has a simple objective - to reduce the risks to human health and the environment from chemicals. By 2018, every chemical manufactured or imported into the EU in quantities above one ton/year must be registered with the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) database in Helsinki, Finland.
Companies will be legally required to provide ECHA with details of the potential hazards associated with making, handling and using the product. ECHA will ensure consistency across the European Community. Chemicals that cannot be safely controlled will face restrictions or even a total ban on their use.
How large is the task?
At least 100 000 chemicals on the market may fall under REACH. Only several thousand have adequate safety information. The rest must be provided through the cooperation of about 65,000 suppliers.
What is the time-scale?
The deadline to register a chemical depends upon its likely risk. Chemicals manufactured or imported in the highest volumes (> 1000 tonnes / year) or which pose the greatest safety or environmental danger (e.g. cancer or birth defects) have already been registered. Chemcials in the 100-1000 tpa tonnage band must be registered by 31 May 2013
What is the current situation?
Most manufacturers and importers began the process and applied for REACH "pre-registration” before the end of November 2008. This allows them to continue their commercial activities and delay full registration until their deadline.
Companies that failed to pre-register their products in time are now in breach of REACH. Enforcement has begun and they can be ordered to register immediately or stop their business. If you think this may apply to you, then contact Alemare without delay. Meanwhile, the registration process continues as companies share information about the hazards of chemicals, how they are used and how the risks may be controlled.
Late pre-registration is still possible for companies that are new to the market. As part of our REACH Services, Alemare Solutions can advise and help you. Call us today on +44 (0)1933 356422 or e mail us to start the process.
What is the cost?
The costs for REACH will be paid for by the chemical industry as a whole. As well as the fees to register products, companies must contribute to the cost of the safety / environmental information and preparing the safety reports. These will together make up the Registration Dossier.
The cost to an individual business is difficult to predict. It depends upon many different factors, such as their volumes, the information already available, the number of companies involved and the agreements that they reach with their competitors to share the costs. Small companies do not have to pay for some of the more expensive tests.
Where can I find official information?
European Chemicals Agency
The Regulation and official guidance notes for REACH can be found on the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) official website.
Latest News
Read the latest ECHA Newsletter here
REACH candidate list of substances of very high concern for authorisation grows
The deadline to make a late pre-registration for substances in the 100-1000 tpa tonnage band is 31st May 2012
