ANSI/NAM Network to Tackle REACH Implementation Challenges
December 19, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS
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Implementing the new European Union (EU) legislation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) poses many challenges for manufacturers in the global supply chain, according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).
According to ANSI, REACH is being phased in gradually because of its complexity.
Half of the legislation's 15 principal elements took effect June 1, 2007, including scope, fees and charges and enforcement issues. The remaining principal elements will apply beginning June 1, 2008, including:
- Registration.
- Sharing of data.
- Obligations of downstream users.
- Evaluation.
- Authorization.
- Classification and labeling of inventory.
"REACH implementation could cost billions of dollars for U.S. industry unless companies work together to harmonize registration procedures and share best practices," said William Primosch, senior director of international business policy at NAM.
"We established this network to help manufacturers address the complex issues raised by REACH and anticipate similar chemical regulations in other key markets."
A small group is working together to compile and prioritize the key issues raised during the first meeting. Going forward, teams of subject matter experts and interested network members will be formed to address the strategic, supply chain, information dissemination and other issues.
On the strategic level, stakeholders called for high-level "common process" implementation guidelines that can be customized to meet the needs of different industry sectors. The need for a common inventory of chemicals was also identified, as was the need for consistent nomenclature, tools and evaluation methods.
Looking ahead, manufacturers agreed they must work to ensure consistency in upstream and downstream communication practices, including request and response forms and materials declarations. Attention will also be given to the identification of acceptable mechanisms that manufacturers can use to certify that their suppliers are also compliant.
Information resources to educate and inform business leaders and government officials about the importance of REACH implementation will also be developed. In the meantime, meetings, events, workshops and conference calls to discuss chemical issues will be identified on a newly created calendar of events.
Finally, the network administrators will reach out to contacts in the EU to confirm whether foreign (non-EU) test results will be accepted as a demonstration of REACH compliance and whether the groups responsible for developing REACH implementation guidance documents are open to representation from non-EU countries.
For more information or to join the network, send an e-mail to chemicals@ansi.org, or contact Brian Meincke, ANSI's director of membership development at 212-642-4940, or bmeincke@ansi.org.
Source: American National Standards Institute (ANSI).