Reminder to register chemicals under REACH; ECHA launches new web site to help

Citation

(2008), "Reminder to register chemicals under REACH; ECHA launches new web site to help", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 55 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2008.12855eab.017

Reminder to register chemicals under REACH; ECHA launches new web site to help

Article Type: Environment and safety From: Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Volume 55, Issue 5

On April 14, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) revealed a new web site for companies seeking to undertake pre-registration under REACH, the new EU chemicals regulation, which requires that chemical substances on their own, in preparations (mixtures, like paints) and those that are intentionally released from articles (i.e. scented candles), have to be registered with ECHA. The regulation applies to substances manufactured in, or imported to the EU in annual quantities of 1 ton or more per company, unless the regulation indicates otherwise.

While the new site does not offer the actual final guidance on pre-registration, it does offer some practical guidance and examples to assist companies that export products into the EU. Access to the online portal (REACH-IT) to complete pre-registration will become available in June.

The obligation to register chemicals manufactured or imported into the EU begins on June 1, 2008. Chemicals (and formulated products) currently on the EU market which meet the definition of phase-in substances should be pre-registered between June 1 and December 1, 2008, to allow sales in the EU to continue. Companies need to arrange for pre-registration of their substances with an EU-based entity (which could include your importer, distributor, actual customers in the EU, or a hired consultant (an “only-representative” that provides pre-registration services) to benefit from extended registration deadlines (in some cases up to 10 years). The deadline depends on the tonnage band (sales by weight of the particular chemical being pre-registered) and the hazardous properties of the substance.

Pre-registration is free and simple, requiring only limited data. A pre-registration file for a substance consists of:

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  substance identity: EINECS number, CAS numbers and names of the substance;

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  expected deadline (for completing the final registration) and tonnage band for the registration; and

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  name and contact information of an official contact or third party representative who will continue to complete the final registration and support data sharing.

NPCA and its Product Sustainability Task Force continue to develop a number of additional resources for NPCA members to address REACH obligations.

More information is available from: http://echa.europa.eu/pre-registration_en.asp