Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemical substances (REACH) went into effect on June 1, 2007. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) based in Helsinki, Finland, was set up to implement and monitor the REACH system.
Compared with EU Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), REACH applies to a much wider sector of industry. The purpose of the regulation is to ensure a high level of protection for human health and for the environment. This includes the promotion of alternative methods of assessing the potential risks posed by substances.
Under the REACH regulations, manufacturers and importers of substances must obtain all the data needed to assess the substances they produce or import. They must also demonstrate convincingly that their substances are safe to handle for all identified uses and thus harmful effects on human health and the environment can be avoided. Registration is required for each substance produced or imported in quantities of one metric ton or more per year per manufacturer/importer. This is done with the ECHA. The amount of data to be provided depends primarily on the quantity of the substance, but also on its hazardous properties.
It is estimated that a total of around 30,000 registrations will be needed to cover all the chemicals currently produced and imported. As part of the registration process, the ECHA will use the information in the registration dossier to check whether any further analysis is needed.
EPCOS was actively involved at a very early stage in the process of developing the REACH regulations, for example by supporting studies into the impact of REACH on the German economy and by helping to draft the final Guidance for downstream users document. Thus, EPCOS helps to ensure that REACH requirements are met on time.
Further information on REACH |
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