The History, Goals and Implementation of REACH

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) is a regulatory framework for chemicals resulting from EU chemical policy discussions spanning several years. The regulation came into force in June 2007.

The EU Commission’s goal is protecting people and the environment while enhancing the competitiveness and innovative strength of European industry. For producers, importers and users, this means that chemicals cannot be marketed without the corresponding data. As per the schedule of deadlines and the requirements (staggered by volume produced/imported), producers and importers must evaluate the risks associated with each substance, develop suitable measures for ensuring its safe use and inform their customers. Substances of very high concern undergo a rigorous authorization procedure. To date, approximately 6,600 different substances have been registered with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki, in a total of almost 33,000 dossiers. The agency makes comprehensive data about these substances and their potential risks available via the internet ( www.echa.europa.eu > Information on Chemicals > Registered Substances). Consumers additionally have the right to find out whether products contain substances of very high concern (SVHCs).

Implementing REACH

We have carefully monitored developments in European chemicals legislation, and striven for a workable implementation of the directive in detail. In parallel with development of the REACH legislation, we regularly analyzed what effect this legislation would have on our company and products, and implemented the necessary internal changes. REACH is continually subject to modification, due to changes such as the introduction of the GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals) in Europe. Substances in nanostructured form will soon be subject to special regulations under REACH. This poses the ongoing challenge of always implementing requirements by the specified deadline. The ECHA’s scheduled process for evaluating the dossiers already submitted also incurs considerable, additional expense, both for the authority itself, and for the companies involved.

The MSDS: a Source of Information on Applications and Risk Management

DYNAPLAK ensures that, if used correctly, no risk to health or the environment is posed by any of its products. We continually update our product information and constantly revise our risk assessments to take account of new findings.

Our material safety data sheets explain what steps should be taken to contain risk when using our products, insofar as these contain hazardous substances. To promote the use of our products in a wide range of applications, our product descriptions use exposure scenarios that can apply to a variety of uses. Existing material safety data sheets are updated as soon as safety assessments and substance safety reports have been compiled for registration. DYNAPLAK provides material safety data sheets for all of its sales products, regardless of legal requirements.