Welcome to the June edition of The REACH Centre newsletter.

With the first deadline for registration only 18 months away, this issue focuses on the need for SIEFs to start working as soon as possible.

The REACH Centre can help your company work in any SIEF, guide you through the minefield of REACH compliance or assist with SVHC testing.

Find out more about us by visiting our website. We hope you find this newsletter useful, and if it raises any issues for you, please get in touch.

ECHA is recommending that seven chemical ‘Substances of Very High Concern’ should not be used without specific authorisation. Three of the recommended substances are classified as toxic to reproduction, one as carcinogenic and three fulfil the criteria for being persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB). They are all used in products to which consumers and workers are exposed.

Substances on this list, to be included in Annex XIV of REACH, will in future only be able to be used within the EU when ‘authorised’ for specific purposes. The seven substances are:

• musk xylene – a fragrance enhancer which is used for example in detergents, fabric softeners and fabric conditioners
• 4,4`-diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA) – a hardener which is used for example in epoxy resins and adhesives
• short chained chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) – a substance mostly used as flame retardant and/or plasticiser in various applications such as high performance rubber, sealants, paints or textile coating
• hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) – a flame retardant which is used for example in polystyrene, which is then further processed for the production of insulation panels/boards or packaging products, and in textile applications
• bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) – a plasticiser which is used in a wide range of PVC and other polymers applications, such as for example flooring, roofing, coated fabrics, medical devices or primary packaging of medicinal products, as well as in various preparations such as for example sealants, adhesives and inks
• benzylbutylphthalate (BBP) - a plasticiser which is used for example in polymer products, and in particular in PVC for flooring applications, in textile and leather coating, as well as in various other preparations such as sealants, coating and inks or adhesives
• dibutylphthalate (DBP) – a specialist plasticiser which is used in particular in various polymer (PVC/non-PVC) applications (such as floor covering or primary packaging of medicinal products), and as a component of various preparations such as adhesives or paints.

The authorisation process will seek to ensure that the risks from Substances of Very High Concern are properly controlled and that the substances are progressively replaced

REACH news in brief

• ECHA has published a list of what SIEFs need to do to start moving
  • ECHA is reminding companies that the clock is ticking until the first registration deadline, and asking companies to get active in their SIEF. They have published a list of tips that you can see by clicking here to visit the ECHA website.

The first registration deadline is only 18 months away, and SIEFs for some substances still have not been formed. Even if no one in your SIEF is required to register by 1st December 2010, you are still legally required to notify the European Chemicals Agency of classifications for hazardous substances by then.

If you are having trouble with organising your SIEF, The REACH Centre can help. We offer a fully flexible SIEF/consortium management package incorporating all the key elements required to support organizations undertaking the registration process. The package can be adopted in its entirety or viewed as a catalogue of services that can be selected individually or in combination as needs dictate. The service is underpinned by the technical, regulatory, managerial and legal expertise of the company's consultants and affiliates.

To find out more, visit the SIEF pages on our website or contact Kath Carr on +44(0)1524 510274.

Dr Alfonso Infantino joins The REACH Centre

Dr Alfonso Infantino is a expert of fate and behaviour modelling currently working at ICPS (International Centre for Pesticide and Health Risk Prevention) in Milan. The institute carries out the evaluation of dossiers submitted to the Italian authorities under the Pesticides Directive (91/414/EC).

Alfonso joined The REACH Centre in June to provide his expertise to the industry in complying with the Pesticides Directive and with the new REACH Regulation, mainly in developing Exposure Scenarios.

REACHing for success with RISP

Chemical Northwest’s Regional Integrated Support Programme (RISP) concluded at the end of March this year having successfully helping over 150 businesses in the Northwest of England deal with their REACH related issues during the last 12 months.

Jonathan Lutwyche, CEO of The REACH Centre

The REACH Centre was the lead delivery partner in the provision of part-funded REACH consultancy and training to businesses. RISP was designed to help organisations get to grips with their legal obligations under REACH and to demonstrate how to mitigate the impact of the new regulation on their business. Companies who participated in the programme commented in particular on its effectiveness, value for money and the helpfulness of the consultants.

Jonathan Lutwyche, CEO of The REACH Centre, commented “From the outset, demand for the support service proved extremely high. The first events exceeded our expectations with over 60 companies attending a series of workshops on the regulatory, technical and legal challenges facing them. Since the start of the programme we have run 27 seminars and training events throughout the region, and provided a diverse range of services from helping companies to understand which of their substances are within the scope of the regulation, through to IUCLID training for companies who intend to make their own registrations to the ECHA.”

“Although RISP has played an important role in starting Northwest companies down the road to REACH compliance, there is still plenty of work to be done. Chemical manufacturers or importers into the EU that are intending to register their substances will be deliberating their options to work within consortia groups, and many downstream users will no doubt be evaluating their substitution strategies based on the growing list of Substances of Very High Concern….these are challenging times in a challenging environment!”

Training and education surrounding REACH legislation is vitally important to ensure organisations get it right with minimal expense and upheaval. We offer a wide selection of training solutions ranging from REACH workshops through to bespoke programmes.

Bespoke training and webinars

If you cannot travel to our training events, we can travel to you. We offer bespoke training packages and REACH consultancy for companies, and we also offer online REACH training. Find out more at www.thereachcentre.com

The REACH Centre also provides IUCLID5 training tailored to your needs. For more information, please contact Matteo Dalla Valle.

NEW: Postgraduate Certificate of Competence in REACH Registration

Lancaster University is offering a unique masters level course covering all aspects of REACH in 3 structured modules delivered by world leading regulatory, scientific and technical experts, starting on 7th July 2009.

The course has been developed by Lancaster University's Centre for Chemicals Management, part of Europe's largest Environmental Research Centre.

This course will provide delegates with all the necessary capabilities to achieve REACH compliance.

For more information contact Mark Cooling on t: 01524 510298 e: m.cooling@lancaster.ac.uk

Read more [PDF] :: Visit the CCM website for more information

IUCLID 5 for Joint Registrants

Date - Thursday 16th July 2009
Venue - Lancaster University Campus
Cost - £445 per person

The day focuses on hands-on experience in applying IUCLID5 in line with REACH. IUCLID5 (International Uniform Chemical Information Database) is the official tool for data collection in relation to REACH and is essential for those looking to successfully register in line with REACH. The workshop will cover all the main aspects of IUCLID5 and give you the chance to become familiar with the software and how it can be used most effectively.

The workshop is delivered by experienced IUCLID5 trainers. It is limited to 10 participants to provide the optimum interactive experience.

Read more [PDF] :: Booking form

Managing REACH - practical help for potential registrants

Date - Wednesday 29th July 2009
Venue - Lancaster University Campus
Cost - £295 per person

This course is a must for anyone who will be potentially registering substances under REACH. With pre-registration over this workshop examines what will happen next, how you should be planning and what is involved throughout the ongoing REACH timeline.

The workshop will address the key issues surrounding registration and hot topics such as SIEF management and communication, IUCLID5, supply chain and data sharing. With an interactive and practical focus delegates will go away having learnt from the experiences of each other and of the presenter; an expert REACH consultant working with government and industrial clients.

A practical look at the REACH-IT and IUCLID5 systems will give delegates a feel for the software and its user applications.

Read more [PDF] :: Booking form

More dates will be announced soon. You can find the latest courses listed on the training page on our website.

Don’t forget The REACH Centre offers a wide range of REACH services. To find out more, visit our website.