The last of three chemicals registration periods in the EU is coming to an end. By 31 May, manufacturers and importers must have submitted a dossier to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA, Helsinki / Finland; www.echa.europa.eu) for each chemical that they trade within the EU in volumes of 1-100 t/y, providing information on its manufacture, use and safety. Larger volumes of chemicals already had to be registered by the end of May 2013.

The recent REACH review in March 2018 showed that the chemicals regulation is functioning well, ten years after it came into force – see Plasteurope.com of 07.03.2018. The commission sees no need for amendments of the REACH regulation in its current version, to achieve the goals of providing a high level of protection from chemical products for both humans and the environment.

This view is shared by Gerd Romanowski, executive director of the science, technology and environment department at the German chemical industry association Verband der Chemischen Industrie (VCI, Frankfurt; www.vci.de). He says companies need legal certainty, and one which makes it necessary to adhere to the current provisions. According to the VCI, simplifications are necessary for the chemical industry, and possible without amending the text of REACH regulation. Romanowski would like to see list of substances that are subject to authorisation procedure shortened. An authorisation requirement adversely affects companies’ planning security and results in higher costs, bringing competitive disadvantages for products manufactured in the EU, he adds.

With Brexit looming, the British Plastics Federation (BPF, London / UK; www.bpf.co.uk) is also hoping to see alignment with REACH regulation. For BPF member companies, first and foremost, “full access is preferred, then REACH-aligned legislation and thirdly – and lastly – non-REACH-aligned legislation,” says Stephen Quinn, chair BPF’s additives suppliers group. He warns that without compliance there would be no trade – see Plasteurope.com of 24.04.2018.