3 thresholds, 3 deadlines
In 2007, REACH launched a plan on registration of existing chemical substances targeting any manufacturers or importers. The registration was divided into three steps, each corresponding to a Registration deadline. These dates depended on the volume of substances imported or manufactured per year:
- 2010:Registration deadline for substances above 1000 tonnes a year and hazardous substances
- 2013:Registration deadline for substances between 100 and 1000 tonnes a year
- 2018:Registration deadline for substances between 1 and 100 tonnes a year
Thus, each and every registrant has had to prepare and submit a technical Registration dossier gathering data on the substance and its uses: physicochemical, toxicological and eco-toxicological properties.
Changes brought by REACH
REACH regulation has tremendously changed the way in which industrials manage their chemical risk and, generally speaking, their activity.
Manufacturers responsible for the chemical safety of their products
Since the implementation of REACH regulation in 2007, manufacturers have to register the substances and mixtures they produce.
According to REACH, it is the industrials duty to carry the responsibility, to evaluate and to manage risks related to their chemical products as well as provide their users with appropriate security information.
Therefore, the regulation allowed the standardisation of the European regulatory environment, while adapting it to companies’ constraints at the same time.
These regulatory requirements have gradually been integrated to the companies’ strategies.
Hazardous substances are progressively being substituted
The candidate list established by REACH has enabled to restrict the use of SVHCs (Substances of Very High Concern). The final goal being a better communication about them, and in the long-run, completely pushing these substances out of the European market.
Even if all the substances from the candidate list are not prohibited by the European Commission yet, lots of manufacturers and exporters from outside the EU chose not to use them anymore.
What is next?
Business executive should continue with their efforts to ensure chemical safety, even after the deadline of 31st May 2018. Careful, it is not a question of the complete end of Registration! If you go beyond your tonnage band or create a new substance, you will still be required to register under REACH.
The European Commission will keep reducing sanitary and environmental impact of the chemical substances after this last REACH Registration rush. Three main changes must be anticipated:
- Development of scientific data
- REACH Authorisation
- Exposure to chemical substances
EcoMundo has guided you through the beginning of your Registering procedures, but your compliance process does not stop here! Our specialists are still available to provide you with their expertise, not only on REACH but also with the entirety of your regulatory obligations.
