REACH deadline looms
06/11/2008
Chemicals companies have until November 30 to pre-register their products with the new European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki if they wish to qualify for 'postponed phase-in' under REACH legislation that came into force in June 2007, with a phased implementation over the next decade.
Products that companies want to continue selling in quantities of one tonne or more per year in the 27 European Union states must comply with REACH (registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals).
Pre-registration means firms will be provided with a REACH number, which will allow them to continue trading for between two and 10 years before full implementation. If firms fail to pre-register their products before the deadline, they will not be able to sell the in the EU without completing the whole application process.
The Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community (COTANCE) hosted a meeting for tanners and chemical companies to discuss REACH in the build-up to the Lineapelle exhibition in Bologna at the end of October.
Leatherbiz understands that the chemical companies in attendance drew the conclusion that the new legislation will give them some extra administration issues and "a small amount of added costs", but that it will not be the nightmare scenario some commentators have suggested.
There were no suggestions of passing the extra cost on to tanners, in spite of fears of large price increases.
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