ECHA targets compounders for REACH compliance

ERJ staff report (DRR)

Helsinki -- The European Chemicals Agency has approved an enforcement project under the European REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations in respect of formulators of mixtures, including rubber compounding ativities.

In its 8th meeting, held 12-14 Oct in Helsinki, the ECHA's Forum for Exchange of Information on Enforcement approved the new enforcement project focused on downstream users who formulate mixtures, according to a 15 Oct press release from ECHA.

In addition, the Forum acknowledged the progress made regarding the project on compliance with the restriction regarding extender oils containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in tyres. The enforcement tools for assessing compliance with this REACH restriction have been successfully applied, the release indicated.

The new enforcement project, named 'Reach-en-Force 2,' aims to ensure REACH compliance with duties placed on formulators of mixtures. This is needed as they have important responsibilities further down the supply chain for many essential requirements imposed by the REACH and CLP Regulations, the ECHA statement explained.

Specifically, the inspectors will control the supply-chain related obligations for substances in the mixtures prepared by formulators as well as the CLP notification requirements.

They will also check if the substances placed on the market in mixtures are registered or pre-registered. In addition, the inspectors will raise awareness of the future obligations for downstream users with relation to the extended safety data sheet.

To facilitate enforcement activities, all national project coordinators in Member States will attend a common training course at the end of January 2011.

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Press release from EChA