RoHS/REACH Compliance Regulations

How REACH will work

REACH imposes responsibilities for manufacturers to manage the risks posed by chemicals, and provide appropriate safety information to each of their customers or users. Moreover, it authorizes the European Union to take additional measures with highly dangerous substances, as deemed appropriate.

REACH also creates the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) with a central coordination and implementation role in the overall process.

All manufacturers, users, and importers of chemicals must identify and manage risks linked to the substances contained in the final products they manufacture and/or market. For substances produced or imported in quantities of 1 ton or more per year per company, manufacturers and importers must demonstrate that are compliant by filing a registration dossier with the Agency (ECHA).

Once the registration dossier has been received, the Agency may check that it adheres to the regulations. Moreover, they may evaluate testing proposals to ensure that the assessment of the chemical substances will not result in unnecessary testing, especially on animals. Where appropriate, authorities may also select related substances for broader evaluations to further investigate materials/chemicals of concern.

REACH also advocates an authorization system to ensure that high-risk substances, such as carcinogens, are adequately controlled. In addition, REACH promotes strategies which will encourage manufacturers to progressively substitute safer materials/ technologies for ones existing today; or, failing this, only use existing but hazardous materials in circumstances where there is an overall benefit for society, not otherwise available. These substances will be prioritized and become integrated into the legislation as "Annex XIV". Once they are included, manufacturers must submit applications for authorization to continue use of each of these substances. In addition, EU authorities may impose restrictions on the manufacture, use or sale such substances which cause an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment.

Manufacturers and importers must provide their customers with the risk information they need to use the substance safely. This will be done via the classification and labeling system and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), similar to the TSCA requirements currently required in the US.

	How REACH will work REACH imposes responsibilities for manufacturers to manage the risks posed by chemicals, and provide appropriate safety information to each of their customers or users. Moreover, it authorizes the European Union to take additional measures with highly dangerous substances, as deemed appropriate. REACH also creates the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) with a central coordination and implementation role in the overall process. All manufacturers, users, and importers of chemicals must identify and manage risks linked to the substances contained in the final products they manufacture and/or market. For substances produced or imported in quantities of 1 ton or more per year per company, manufacturers and importers must demonstrate that are compliant by filing a registration dossier with the Agency (ECHA). Once the registration dossier has been received, the Agency may check that it adheres to the regulations. Moreover, they may evaluate testing proposals to ensure that the assessment of the chemical substances will not result in unnecessary testing, especially on animals. Where appropriate, authorities may also select related substances for broader evaluations to further investigate materials/chemicals of concern. REACH also advocates an authorization system to ensure that high-risk substances, such as carcinogens, are adequately controlled. In addition, REACH promotes strategies which will encourage manufacturers to progressively substitute safer materials/ technologies for ones existing today; or, failing this, only use existing but hazardous materials in circumstances where there is an overall benefit for society, not otherwise available. These substances will be prioritized and become integrated into the legislation as "Annex XIV". Once they are included, manufacturers must submit applications for authorization to continue use of each of these substances. In addition, EU authorities may impose restrictions on the manufacture, use or sale such substances which cause an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. Manufacturers and importers must provide their customers with the risk information they need to use the substance safely. This will be done via the classification and labeling system and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), similar to the TSCA requirements currently required in the US.
Polyonics, Inc. 867 Rte. 12 Westmoreland, NH 03467-4740 Tel: 603.352.1415 Fax: 603.352.1936 Email: info@polyonics.com