EC: Industry Urged to Pre-Register All Chemicals by 1 December 2008

(CIFFA e-Bulletin)

Some 30,000 chemicals currently in use (e.g. acids, metals, solvents, surfactants, and glues) have to be pre-registered at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) between 1st June and 1st December 2008. As the new chemicals legislation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals) will enter into operation on 1st June, the European Commission and ECHA are alerting companies of their obligations. Tens of thousands of manufacturers or importers of chemicals will have to pre-register chemicals in 2008 if they want to continue manufacturing or importing them without interruption. It has been estimated that over 180,000 pre-registration files will be submitted. The pre-registration process will enable companies to share data on their chemicals and paves the way to enhanced knowledge about chemicals. This is a prerequisite for improved safety in the years to come.

Today's alert is driven by the concern that some companies may still not be conscious of their obligations, either because they are not aware of the scope or the specific requirements or because they believe that REACH does not affect them, especially if they are not part of the chemicals sector. The Commission therefore calls upon Member States authorities, industry, third countries and other stakeholders to help to make the obligations known to all enterprises concerned. More information is available from in web-streaming format and at the European Chemicals Agency website.