Pre-registration REACHes an end

The pre-registration process under Regulation (EC) 1907/2006, on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is drawing to a conclusion. Under REACH, chemicals manufactured or imported into the EU in quantities of over one tonne need to be registered with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

This process started with the pre-registration period, from 1 June to 1 December 2008 and involves firms providing the ECHA with some basic information on the substances they are manufacturing or importing, and the quantities involved. Firms who pre-register their substances will qualify for the staggered registration deadlines after 1 December 2008, giving them longer to fully register. Firms who fail to pre-register will need to fully register their substance immediately after 1 December 2008 and stop its manufacture or import while this is done.

Other import dates for your REACH calendar include:

• 1 January 2009 - ECHA to publish a list of pre-registered chemicals;
• 1 June 2009 - ECHA to recommend the priority substances to be included in Annex 14 of REACH;
• 30 November 2010 - deadline for substances made or imported in amounts over 1,000 tonnes per year, or for known carcinogens, mutagens and substances toxic to reproduction, and those toxic to aquatic organisms made in quantities over 100 tonnes per year;
• 1 December 2011 - ECHA to submit a draft action plan outlining the substances to be evaluated each year over a three year period;
• 2012 - a review of REACH and information requirements for substances made or imported in amounts of 1-10 tonnes per year;
• 2013 - a review to determine whether endocrine disruptors are to be replaced;
• 31 May 2013 - deadline for substances produced or imported in quantities equal to or greater than 100 tonnes per year;
• 2014 - a review of the need for firms to prepare and transmit chemical safety reports for certain substances;
• 31 May 2018 - deadline for substances produced or imported in quantities equal to or greater than one tonne per year;
• 2019 - a review on whether a chemical safety report should be submitted for certain substances made or imported in amounts under 10 tonnes per year, or not subject to registration.