TÜV SÜD supports organizations in REACH implementation

TÜV SÜD supports organizations in REACH implementation

On 1 June 2007, the EU's Chemicals Regulation REACH will come into force. It applies to the producers and processing companies of over 30,000 chemicals. The entire regulatory framework – including implementation guidelines – totals several thousand pages. TÜV SÜD experts support organizations in implementing the regulation by offering their regulatory expertise and their global network.

"By introducing REACH, the European Union transfers greater responsibility for evaluating the substances used to their producers, importers and users", says Johann Puritscher, Head of TÜV SÜD's interdisciplinary REACH taskforce. "Companies must prove that the substances they use are safe or that efficient risk management measures have been taken to control hazardous substances." This also applies to the production and sale of products containing such substances or mixtures of substances. REACH applies to approx. 30,000 chemicals, the majority of which have been in use for a long time.

Timely preparation secures import and production

While the majority of chemicals must only be registered with the newly established European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki and evaluated for their hazard potential, approximately 3,000 substances of very high concern will be subject to a comprehensive authorization procedure. Transitional periods based on the quantities used and the hazard potential involved have been defined for registration and authorization of so-called "existing" substances. "One year after REACH has come into effect, i.e. on 1 June 2008, the pre-registration period will be launched, during which companies can pre-register their substances and substance mixtures with the Chemicals Agency", explains Puritscher. "Until then, all companies affected by the regulation must be clear about what their obligations entail." TÜV SÜD experts strongly advise companies to start the required activities without delay, because preparation involves intensive -- and thus time-consuming -- exchanges of information along the entire supply chain. "Timely registration or authorization of the chemicals used is paramount for securing smooth production and import of chemicals and products into the European Union now and in the future", says Puritscher. "So far, however, we have noticed that producers and processing companies are still highly uncertain as to which substances are actually concerned in REACH and which chemicals must be registered with the Chemicals Agency."

TÜV SÜD and its global network offer companies support in the implementation of the new chemicals regulation. In interdisciplinary teams, the experts develop customized solutions for producers and processing companies from a variety of industries.

For further information about REACH-related services provided by TÜV SÜD, contact REACH Manager        Dr Fritz Prechtl, Tel. +49 (0) 89 / 5791 – 2861.

Editor: Dr Thomas Oberst