REACH is coming and its here to stay. Hailed as the most intrusive piece of legislation to hit the European chemicals supply chain, its impact will be widespread and is likely to catalyse changes in chemicals policies in many other countries.
While the chemicals industry supports the goals of REACH, its implementation will be all-consuming. The impact-assessment battle continues, but whether youre an importer, distributor, formulator or downstream user, you need to know what youre up against.
The new regulations promise to bring about improvements in innovation and competitiveness in the EU chemicals industry, a more simple and ordered regulatory system, a reduced dependence on fossil fuels and cost savings in raw materials and lawsuits. REACH reverses the burden of proof and puts the responsibility on the producer and importer to show that substances are safe before they can be placed on the market. If conducted properly REACH will restore consumer trust in chemicals used in consumer products which will have a knock-on effect throughout the whole chemicals supply chain.
Rapras first international conference on REACH, featured case studies from the likes of Degussa, Dow Corning, Clariant, Ineos Vinyls and MBDA as well as papers from respected legal firms Keller and Heckman LLP and Eversheds.