REACH: for manufacturers of chemicals |
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This is one of three articles on REACH. We have a general introduction to REACH which you should read first. The other article is written for businesses who use chemicals. |
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This article will be useful reading for all small business owners and managers.
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What is REACH?
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REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is the new system for controlling chemicals in Europe. The regulations took effect in the UK from 1 June 2007.
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Its aims are to:
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- Provide a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the use of chemicals;
- To make the people who place chemicals on the market responsible for understanding and managing the risks associated with their use;
- To enhance innovation in and the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.
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This article provides basic information to help you understand how you as a chemical producer could be affected by REACH.
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How might REACH affect your business?
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Chemical’ means an individual substance, not combinations (mixtures, formulations, preparations) of two or more substances.
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If you make chemicals either to use yourself or to supply to other people (even if you export them) it is likely that you will have a duty under the regulations.
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Chemicals covered by REACH
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Any chemical that is manufactured in quantities of 1 tonne per year or more is covered by REACH.
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There are a few exceptions including:
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- Radioactive substances;
- Those in transit;
- Waste (as defined in EU Directives); and
- Intermediates that only exist during an enclosed reaction.
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What is my duty?
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If you want to continue to manufacture chemicals covered by REACH you will need to register them with the new European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki. Registration means providing a package of technical information on the chemical and its hazards to the ECHA.
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Registration is phased over a period of years based on tonnage levels and in some cases the hazards of the chemical. However, to take advantage of the phase in time you will need to pre-register between 1 June and 30 November 2008.
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What information do I need to tell ECHA?
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For each chemical you will need to tell them the following:
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- Name of the chemical including an identifying number (for example CAS or EINECS number);
- Your company’s name and address and a contact name;
- Envisaged deadline for registration and tonnage band; and
- Identifier information of any structurally similar chemical which you may wish to rely on to provide useful evidence on hazards as part of your registration package.
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Will it affect my business?
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Another benefit of pre-registering a chemical is that you will become part of a group of companies who have also pre-registered that same chemical. This group, called a Substance Information Exchange Forum (SIEF) will share information on hazards so that only one set of technical information has to be submitted to the ECHA.
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The SIEF will work collectively on other aspects of the registration package.
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Membership of a SIEF will also help to share expertise and spread costs with members paying reduced registration fees. Our advice - pre-register; as it may save you a lot of time and money later.
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