Now is the time to wise up to REACH
October 1st 2008

Dr Peter Douben founded of REACHWise, solely to help companies with their implementation of REACH. If you have a problem, he can help

REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation,Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals. It became law on June 1 2007 and its purpose is to improve the former European Union legislative framework on chemicals. It is a substance based regulation that places greater responsibility on industry to manage the risks that chemicals may pose to health and the environment. It affects manufacturers, importers, suppliers and downstream users of chemicals using one or all of the following: Substance – the chemical element and its compound Preparation – a mixture of two or more substances Article – a finished product constructed from or coated by a substance or preparation All substances manufactured or imported into the EU above 1 tonne per year must be registered with the European Chemicals Agency (EChA).This also applies to substances in preparations and intentionally released from articles.There are some exceptions but they are not the rule.

Dr Peter Douben – a former director of REACH and Chemicals Policy at Cefic – is the founder of REACHWise, set up to help companies with their implementation of REACH. He says it is important for companies to know what the impact of REACH will be, especially as the pre-registration period is coming to a close (30 November 2008), "but the bulk of the work will come afterwards".

Pre-registration can give substances 'phase-in' status, allowing them to benefit from a staggered 11 year timeline, and depending on the hazard or tonnage, requirements may be reduced.

REACHWise offers a pre-registration service, "And as most of REACHWise staff have experience in the cleaning industry,we are well placed to help cleaning companies," says Douben."We can help companies and individuals to find the best options." Pre-registration helps with the formation of Substance Information Exchange Forums (SIEFS). "These are the mandatory platforms where companies need to exchange data on individual substances." REACHWise will also help with the consortia – a collaboration/joint initiative of various companies dealing with the same substance. Pre-registration facilitates information sharing and avoids the duplication of tests. REACHWise can act as an independent trustee so that companies are able to meet the obligations of REACH and do not violate European Community or World Trade competition law. "For example, exact volumes of substances may be relevant for data sharing and reimbursement, but divulging direct volumes to competitors is not allowed." This is where REACHWise can step in to keep confidentiality.

After (Pre-) Registration, the work begins in earnest to prepare the Registration registration dossier which consists of the Technical Dossier (starting at 1 tonne per year) and Chemical Safety Report (starting at 10 tonnes per year). "We are here to help companies so that REACH does not become a headache