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REACH
REACH is an EU regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals. REACH came into force on 1st June 2007 and replaces a significant number of European directives and regulations with a single system. In practice the regulation will take many years to take effect throughout the EU. How does it work? REACH has several aims, including the provision of a high level of protection for human health and the environment from the use of chemicals. There are many chemicals in use which have potentially unknown associated risks because they have never been fully evaluated. REACH aims to make the people who place chemicals on the market (manufacturers and importers) responsible for understanding and managing the risks associated with their use. It is possible that some substances will be withdrawn from the market as a direct result of REACH and will no longer be commercially available. For more on the aims of REACH see: http://www.hse.gov.uk/reach/about.htm Who is affected by REACH? The regulations impact manufacturers, importers, producers, distributors and downstream users of substances, preparations and articles. They focus on substances intended for intentional release during use. Who is managing REACH? The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), based in Finland, will manage the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction processes across the EU. In the UK the Health & Safety Executive is the competent authority. What is RS doing? RS does not manufacturer, import or use chemicals in a manufacturing process but we do purchase and distribute products containing substances for intentional release. We are currently working with our suppliers to establish what action they intend to take in respect of the products they supply. Our responsibility as a distributor is to pass information up and down the supply chain as it becomes available. This may result in changes to the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for the products concerned. In certain circumstances withdrawal of products from the market or reformulation by the supplier may be required. All current MSDSs are available for immediate download from our website. REACH article To read our latest article on REACH from our August 08 edition of Electronics, click here. |
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