EU chemicals registration jams as deadline extends
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Reeeta Paakkinen
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Nisan 11, 2009 00:00
HELSINKI - The European Chemicals Agency, or ECHA, has received some 15 times more pre-registrations for chemicals than it initially expected, the agency’s representatives said last week.
The pre-registrations are part of a process that regulates substances manufactured in or imported to the EU. The regulation applies to products brought into or made in the EU in annual quantities of 1 ton or more per company. The first of the staggered deadlines for registration is Dec. 1, 2010, but companies who pre-register their substances can benefit from extended registration deadlines, which depend on the tonnage band and the hazardous properties of the substance.
Matti Vainio of the ECHA noted the agency’s IT system was designed for approximately 200,000 pre-registrations, but between June and December 2008, the agency received some 2.75 million pre-registrations. The pre-registrations are part of the REACH process, which stands for registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals used in the European Union. The requirement to register applies to any products that have chemicals and are used or traded in the EU area, including those produced by non-EU firms.
"The regulation contributes to worldwide standards in chemicals by placing restrictions on dangerous chemicals. The authorization and labeling of chemical substances reduces risks. The regulation will indirectly benefit also non-EU businesses, for example in India and Eastern Europe, Turkey included," Vainio said.
The agency, which was set up in June 2007, is organizing the first Helsinki Chemicals Forum from May 27 to 29 in Helsinki. The two-day meeting will gather 500 industry leaders from EU and non-EU member states.
Matti Vainio of the ECHA noted the agency’s IT system was designed for approximately 200,000 pre-registrations, but between June and December 2008, the agency received some 2.75 million pre-registrations. The pre-registrations are part of the REACH process, which stands for registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals used in the European Union. The requirement to register applies to any products that have chemicals and are used or traded in the EU area, including those produced by non-EU firms.
"The regulation contributes to worldwide standards in chemicals by placing restrictions on dangerous chemicals. The authorization and labeling of chemical substances reduces risks. The regulation will indirectly benefit also non-EU businesses, for example in India and Eastern Europe, Turkey included," Vainio said.
The agency, which was set up in June 2007, is organizing the first Helsinki Chemicals Forum from May 27 to 29 in Helsinki. The two-day meeting will gather 500 industry leaders from EU and non-EU member states.