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:
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.
Position papers - second reading
October 2006:
UEAPME letter to MEPs ahead of REACH second reading vote in the Environment Committee
October 2006:
UEAPME position on key REACH amendments (second reading vote in the Environment Committee)
August 2006:
UEAPME’s priorities for the second reading of REACH
August 2006:
UEAPME’s amendments for the second reading of REACH
Press releases - second reading
13/12/2006:
REACH: last-minute deal a step forward for simplification, a step back for SME formulators
10/10/2006:
REACH: EP Environment Committee vote delivers mixed results for SMEs
05/10/2006:
Second reading vote should secure a fair REACH for SMEs
Position papers - first reading
April 2005:
UEAPME’s amendments on the REACH proposal for European Parliament first reading
April 2005:
UEAPME’s position paper on Mr Sacconi’s report on the REACH regulation
April 2005:
UEAPME’s position paper on Mrs EK’s opinion on the REACH regulation
January 2005:
UEAPME Position Paper on the REACH Regulation EP Hearing
July 2004:
UEAPME’s comments to the approach "One Substance, One Registration" in REACH
July 2003:
UEAPME’s response to the internet consultation on REACH
February 2003:
UEAPME’s Position Paper on the Commission’s Directive on VOC
Press releases - first reading
13/12/2005:
Chemical rules made less damaging for small businesses
17/11/2005:
REACH compromise compounds costs for small firms unnecessarily
14/11/2005:
MEPs compromises must not jeopardise workable REACH
06/10/2005:
Mixed feelings on the REACH vote in the EP Environment Committee
15/09/2005:
Chemicals law moving in the right direction
08/09/2005:
REACH: European SME organisations send united message to MEPs ahead of important committee votes on REACH
05/07/2005:
SPORT results confirm SMEs hardest hit under REACH proposals
27/04/2005:
REACH impact assessment confirms threat to small businesses
17/01/2005:
REACH: burden still too heavy for downstream users and SMEs, UEAPME tells MEPs
20/10/2003:
European SMEs need a branch-focused impact assessment of REACH
11/07/2003:
"REACH": UEAPME demands fair sharing of data and cost of testing
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.
Position papers
June 2008:
UEAPME’s Position on the Globally Harmonised System (GHS)
Press releases
03/09/2008:
Compromise on labelling of substances hits hard on small scale manufacturers
Plant Protection Products (Revision of Directive 91/414 EEC)
Position papers
April 2006:
UEAPME’s opinion on the draft revision of Directive 91/414/EEC on plant protection products
May 2005:
UEAPME’s Position Paper on the Draft Regulation on Plant Protection Products
March 2004:
UEAPME Position on ammendments to Directive 91/414/EEC
December 2003:
Summary of the proposal for the amendment of Council Directive 91/414/EEC regarding the data protection provisions
01/12/2003:
Proposal for a new text for Article 13 of Directive 91/414/EEC
Press releases
04/05/2006:
Plant protection products rules should foster fair conditions for SME producers
Thematic strategy on the sustainable use of pesticides
Position papers
February 2005:
UEAPME Position Paper on the sustainable use of pesticides
Recent press releases
RSS feedRecent position papers
- UEAPME position paper on the EC Communication "A shared commitment for employment" June 2009
- UEAPME answer to the call for evidence on the review of the Market Abuse Directive June 2009
- UEAPME position on the consultation paper “Cutting Accounting Burden for Small Business / Review of the Accounting (...) June 2009