Heads up time, people. The EU's REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) is about to get more serious.
Last week at a meeting in Brussels, the first 16 chemicals to be classified as "substances of very high concern" were released by the International Chemical Secretariat under what in other circumstances could be the amusing acronym SIN - or Substitute It Now!
This initial 16 will be followed by many more chemicals which could be classified as carcogenic (C), persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT), toxic for reproduction (TPR) and very persistent and very bio-accumulative (VPVB).
My experience of previous EU regulations suggest some companies are taking this seriously, some have a nodding acquaintance with the regulations, and some haven't a clue and hope it will go away. It won't, and the good news is there is plenty of support and advice out there.
EDN, our sister publication in the US is running a webcast next Tuesday September 3O titled Product Lifecycle Insights: Tackling EU REACH compliance head on with information. Go to www.edn.com to register.
The distribution sector is also taking this issue very seriously. Farnell has published a short form booklet with sound advice and has a web site dedicated to EU regulations. Digi-Key and RS Components also have up to date advice on their web sites.
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