Legislation on chemicals, GHS, plant protection products

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Legislation on chemicals, GHS, plant protection products

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Legislation on Chemicals (REACH)
Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
Plant Protection Products
Thematic strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides

Legislation on Chemicals (REACH)

On 1st June 2007 the Regulation 1907/2006, known as REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) entered into force after being adopted in December 2006. The Regulation requires a very large number of chemical substances to be subject to a registration process which will extend over a period of 11 years. UEAPME was very much involved in all the legislative process leading to the approval of REACH at EU level considering its strong impacts on various categories of SMEs, such as manufacturers or importers of substances, downstream users and formulators.

To find the text of the REACH Regulation as well as more information on the obligations imposed by REACH, please click on the REACH page on the site of DG Enterprises of the European Commission:

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/reac...

On 1st June the new European Chemical Agency started being operational as well. The Agency will manage a European central data base with all the registered chemical substances. The Chemical Agency will also provide guidance, IT Tools for companies and a helpdesk, which will co-ordinate the national helpdesks set up by the Member States to support the correct implementation of REACH.

Please click on the following link for the internet site of the European Chemical Agency in all the EU official languages:

http://ec.europa.eu/echa/

IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REACH: PREREGISTRATION UNDER REACH

Dear Members,

Please be aware that companies having potential obligations under REACH, including SMEs, must pre-register their substances between 1st June 2008 and 1st December 2008 if they want to continue manufacturing, importing and using them. Considering that overlooking this obligation can result in companies be put out of businesses, we highlight how important it is for you to inform your own members as son as possible.

More information on the pre-registration as well as other important aspects of REACH can be found:

On the website of the European Chemical Agency
On the REACH website of the European Commission
At your national REACH helpdesk
At your competent national Ministry

Position papers, press releases, projects

Click here to show/hide all UEAPME position papers, press releases and projects on REACH before its entry into force.

Projects, partnerships and links

SHERPER Study: recommendation on how to establish REACH Helpdesks at national level

With a view to the approval of REACH at EU level, the EU Commission launched a study to understand how to set up REACH helpdesks at national level, aimed at supporting businesses and particularly SMEs in the implementation of REACH.

The consultant in charge of carrying out the so called SHERPER study was supported by a group of experts among whom Mr. Erwin Tomschik, from the Austrian Member of UEAPME (WKÖ). Please click here to see the report with the final recommendations.

SPORT, Strategic Partnership on REACH Testing

SPORT (the Strategic Partnership On Reach Testing) was a partnership between the European Commission, Member States and industry formed to jointly test out REACH legislation before it enters into force. In 8 sub-projects it simulated REACH pre-registration, registration and dossier evaluation of various chemicals and their downstream uses. The SPORT Steering Group consists of delegates from the European Commission, Member States and business organisations (Cefic, UEAPME, UNICE and DUCC). Read more »

Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)

In 2007 the European Commission adopted a new proposal for a Regulation on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures COM(2007)355 which will replace after a transitional period certain provisions of the current directives related to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances (Directive 67/548/EEC) and preparations (Directive 1999/45/EC).

The new proposal incorporates the classification criteria and labelling rules agreed at UN level, the so called Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

UEAPME is calling on the EU institutions to make sure that:

The new Regulation is not in contradiction with the principles and criteria laid down by the US;
The new Regulation is fully compatible with REACH;
The new labelling system protects confidentiality of data and simplifies requirements.