|
REACh is arguably the most challenging regulation ever issued for the chemical industry. It is a European regulation requiring the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals produced or imported into Europe. The purported goal of REACh is to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks of chemicals. The REACh regulation took effect on June 1, 2007. Although only enforceable in the European Union (EU), the implications and impact of REACh are global.
WHAT?
REACh requires manufacturers and importers located in the European Union (EU) to gather and submit information on substance properties along with their effects on human health and the environment to the European Chemicals Agency based in Helsinki, Finland. Each chemical producer or importer must register all substances with an annual volume of one metric ton or more. Any new chemicals are required to be registered prior to manufacturing or importing. Existing substances are being phased-in over a period of three to eleven years. The deadlines for phase-in are based on annual volume and hazard.
WHEN?
Solutia is currently preparing for compliance with REACh. We are investigating how we can help our non-EU customers, possibly through the appointment of an Only Representative. Decisions are begin made by the individual businesses case-by case.
Key deadlines are as follows:
- Pre-registration of substances: June 1 - December 1, 2008
Registration deadlines for substances:
- December 1, 2010: >1000 tons/year; substances classified N, R50/53 > 100 tons/year; CMR’s category 1 and 2 > 1 ton/year
- June 1, 2013: > 100 tons/year
- June 1, 2018: > 1 ton/year
HOW?
As required by REACh, Solutia will cooperate with other companies to share existing data and new testing in order to minimize animal testing and the cost of compliance. For substances over 10 tons/year, Solutia will also submit a Chemical Safety Report (CSR), demonstrating our chemicals are safe to use. To meet CSR requirements, Solutia may need to generate new information regarding potential product exposures during its use and assess acceptability of each identified use and disposal method.
REACh requires a closer working relationship with our customers and will help drive product stewardship improvements for our suppliers. We also expect our downstream users to provide us with more information on their use and disposal of our products and their customers, which will help us assess accurate potential exposures. This information is critical because any exposure assessments must consider our customers’ practices.
Useful Links
European Chemicals Agency (EChA)
CEFIC REACh site
ACC REACh site
| 
