R E A C H - Are you ready?

The European Parliament has approved legislation, which will lead to the safety testing of thousands of chemicals. The legislation, called REACH, is widely regarded as one of the most important regulations in 20 years. REACH will create one database to catalogue all of the chemicals used in the EU. Any business that manufactures or imports more than one tonne of a substance per year will be required to demonstrate that the chemicals it uses are safe, by registering in the central database. The REACH initiative will create a greater sense of responsibility, across industry, for managing human and environmental risks from chemicals. The popular perception is that REACH may encourage the replacement of hazardous chemicals with safer ones, giving more impetus to the research and development of new products within industry.

Implementation of REACH is currently in the pre-registration phase (1st June 2008 - 1st December 2008). You should make particular endevours to participate in pre-registration as failure to do so will preclude your organisation from reaping the benefits of extended registration deadlines.

Defra’s REACH implementation guidelines suggest that organisations do the following*:

  • Set-up administrative and product management systems to facilitate compliance with REACH when it enters into force
  • Develop portfolios of substances affected by REACH and identify gaps between the information currently available and that likely to be needed
  • Review and improve available data (e.g. contained in Safety Data Sheets)

At Oval Systems, we are in a prime position to help your organisation to prepare for REACH. We have already implemented a system for one of the largest companies to be influenced by the legislation – BP. The solution we have delivered for BP will enable their compliance team to carefully organise and audit information, preparing IUCLID-friendly portfolios on “register-able” substances.

Our history of developing high-ROI systems within the chemicals and lubricants industries, as well as for key government departments such as DEFRA and the Home Office, means that we have amassed unparalleled expertise in how to deliver goal-driven information systems.

REACH Timings

Major deadlines for the implementation of REACH are primarily centred around substance volumes, with dangerous substances also receiving priority.

Tranche 1: 2010 (3 years after REACH comes into force): ≥1000 tonnes . substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (categories 1&2) above 1 tonne . substances classified as ‘very toxic to aquatic organisms and may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment’ (R50-53) above 100 tonnes

Tranche 2: 2013 (6 years after REACH comes into force): 100-1000 tonnes . (Parliament proposes to also require the registration of substances classified as ‘very toxic to aquatic organisms and may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment’ (R50-53) above 1 tonne)

Tranche 3: 2018 (11 years after REACH comes into force): 1-100 tonnes

2008 Pre-registration (1st June - 1st December): For existing (phase-in) substances, a pre-registration of <=18 months after REACH enforcement applies on a "one-substance-one-registration" basis

How Oval Systems can help you to REACH your goal

We major in bespoke application development (the only way for a mature and complex business like yours to achieve its goals). However, our experience, deep industry knowledge and modular approach to development means that we are able to provide tailor-made solutions at extremely competitive rates. Furthermore, in most cases we can integrate or interface with your existing enterprise applications, creating significant savings for your organisation.

Key features of an Oval System for REACH Compliance

  • CASRN (and EINECS/ELINCS number) validation
  • Import information (by tonnage, by year)
  • Manufacture information (by tonnage, by year)
  • Usage information
  • Downstream usage feedback capture (identified uses)
  • OSOR/Consortium/SIEF information
  • Hazard classification information (current and GHS)

  • R-phrase look-ups
  • Exemption flagging
  • CSR preparation
  • SDS cross-referencing
  • Test-data cataloguing (banded according to tonnage)
  • Registration process tracking

How to get started

Get in touch with us by telephone or email. It would be useful (but not essential) if you could have the following information available: core business/nature of business . size of your organisation (approximate headcount) . main enterprise technology platform (e.g. Oracle. Microsoft, SAP, IBM Websphere, IBM Lotus Domino).

Telephone: +44 (0) 1483 424 993 | Email: reach@ovalsystems.co.uk | Web: www.ovalsystems.co.uk

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Oval Systems Limited, The Smithy, Peper Harow Park, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 6BQ

* The specific steps needed are dependant on the commercial activities of the organisation. Source: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/chemicals/reach/qanda/implementation.htm Disclaimer: The information provided here is supplied for indicative purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from an appropriate legal professional