Increased support for Downstream Users

ECHA has introduced new measures to support downstream users in fulfilling their duties under REACH. This includes a Question and Answer document on downstream user reports and a template for reporting conditions of use, in case reporting to ECHA according to Article 38 of REACH is required.

ECHA has also published information on all downstream user reports received in 2011. A total of 62 downstream user reports were received from 27 companies. The most common reason for producing a report was related to downstream users having to prepare the chemical safety report (CSR) for a use which was not covered by the supplier.

The Q&A document is available from ECHA's website.

ECHA webinar for Downstream Users announced

As part of their commitment to support downstream users, ECHA will host a webinar on 23 April 2012 to clarify downstream user obligations and to describe the support available.

Downstream users may need to report to ECHA where their use was not included in their supplier's registration. ECHA has published a set of Q&A on such reporting, together with an overview of facts and figures on downstream user reports received in 2011. A template for reporting conditions of use has also been made available; such a document should be attached to section 13 of the downstream user's ICULID dossier prior to submission via REACH-IT.

For more information please see the ECHA website.

First CoRAP published (29 February 2012)

The first Community Rolling Action Plan (CoRAP) has been published by ECHA. The list contains 90 substances selected using risk-based criteria for substance evaluation, and each has a designated Member State responsible for the evaluation. In 2012, 36 substances are being evaluated by 17 Member States.

The designated Member States have 12 months to evaluate the substances specified for 2012 starting from 29 February 2012, the date of publication of the first CoRAP list. Where necessary they will prepare a draft decision for requesting further information from registrants to clarify the suspected risks. The information requested may go beyond the standard requirements in Annexes VII to X to REACH and may consider the substance exposure or its intrinsic properties.

Following evaluation of a substance the designated Member State may propose further controls such as restriction, EU-wide occupational exposure limits, or Candidate List inclusion.

For more information please see the ECHA Press Release.

ECHA updates Candidate List to 73 Substances (19 December 2011)

Twenty substances have been added to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs), taking the total to seventy-three. According to ECHA's News Alert twelve of the substances were added following the unanimous agreement of the Member State Committee; the other eight substances received no comments challenging the identification as SVHC during public consultation and were directly added to the Candidate List.

Companies may have legal obligations resulting from the inclusion of these substances in the Candidate List which may apply to the listed substances on their own, in mixtures or in articles. Producers and importers of articles have until 19 June 2012 to notify ECHA where the SVHC is present in those articles above 0.1% by weight and totals 1 tonne or more per year, unless the substance is already registered for that use or exposure can be excluded.

First six substances added to Annex XIV of REACH (17 February 2011)

The European Commission has included the first six substances of very high concern (SVHCs) subject to Authorisation in Annex XIV of REACH. In addition, ECHA has published new web pages on Authorisation; the Authorisation list is found at http://echa.europa.eu/reach/authorisation_under_reach/authorisation_list_en.asp.

For each listed SVHC a "sunset date" applies, after which time the substance cannot be used without authorisation unless the use is specifically exempt. Note that there was an error in the dates in the Annex XIV as published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 18/02/2011 (O.J. L 44/2); a corrigendum is available here.

ECHA has published guidance to help companies applying for an Authorisation. The Agency also plans to host a seminar for potential applicants in Helsinki, Finland, on 12 April 2011.

ECHA adds eight substances to the Candidate List (18 June 2010)

The European Chemicals Agency has added eight chemical substances to the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) for authorisation. REACHReady reiterates the advice of ECHA and recommends companies check their potential legal obligations that result from this listing.

The official Candidate List is available at http://echa.europa.eu/web/guest/candidate-list-table

For further information, see http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/17095/pr_10_12_candidate_list_20100618_en.pdf.

Practical Guides from ECHA (09 April 2010)

ECHA has published six Practical Guides to help registrants meet their information requirements for REACH registration. The Practical Guides provide registrants with comprehensive and in-depth advice on preparing their registration dossiers using IUCLID 5. They also cover the options for the adaptation of information requirements and include the reporting practice for alternative (e.g. non-animal) testing methods.

For more information see http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/17095/na_10_16_practical_guides_20100409_en.pdf

Acrylamide added to Candidate List (30 March 2010)

Acrylamide (EC number 201-173-7) has now been included in the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern for Authorisation. On 26 March, the President of the General Court of the European Union dismissed the application for interim measures in Case T-1/10 R, lifting the temporary suspension of the inclusion of the substance.
For more information see http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/17096/pr_10_05_acrylamide_20100330_en.pdf

Candidate List extended with 14 additional SVHCs (13 January 2010)

Today ECHA added 14 chemical substances to the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) for authorisation (http://echa.europa.eu/web/guest/candidate-list-table). Acrylamide (EC No 201-173-7 and CAS No 79-06-1) was also identified as a Substance of Very High Concern by ECHA’s Member State Committee. However, the inclusion of acrylamide in the Candidate List of substances for eventual inclusion in Annex XIV of REACH is suspended until the General Court of the European Union makes a ruling (Case T-1/10 R). Companies manufacturing or importing these substances on their own as well as in mixtures and in articles need to check their potential obligations that result from the update to the Candidate List:
http://echa.europa.eu/web/guest/candidate-list-obligations

UK REACH enforcement (August 2009)

HSE, the UK's Competent Authority for REACH, has revealed on its website that in March and April 2009 it issued a series of REACH Improvement Notices in relation to alleged failures to register the manufacture or import of substances. In what seems to be a coordinated campaign directed mainly at the lime products industry, notices were issued to named businesses and individuals across the UK, giving a limited time to comply or face court proceedings. This step is very significant and shows that HSE are prepared to take action at the highest level. HSE's public register of enforcement notices is found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/notices/default.asp

First Candidate List published by ECHA (28 October 2008)

On 28 October 2008, ECHA included 15 substances in the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) for authorisation. This list was published on the ECHA website at: http://echa.europa.eu/chem_data/candidate_list_table_en.asp
The publication of the list instigates immediate legal obligations for EU and EEA companies supplying such SVHC, either in articles, in preparations or as substances. Companies are strongly advised to confirm their obligations under REACH resulting from the publication of the Candidate List. The Candidate List will be updated periodically with additional SVHC; companies are advised to check the ECHA website periodically for changes. REACHReady's Gold members will also receive updates via Technical Alerts.

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