REACH is a new European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use which came into force on 1 June 2007.

REACH deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances.

Although it’s a EU regulation, it will affect all companies around the world exporting chemicals or articles containing chemical substances to the EU. The aim of REACH is to improve the protection of human health and the environment through the better and earlier identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances.

From June 1st till December 1st 2008, all manufacturers, importers and only representatives need to pre-register their phase-in substances - within the scope of REACH - to benefit from transitional periods for registration.

The actual pre-registration process sounds rather simple. What happens afterwards, however, is still less not a clear picture for many people. Necessary next steps to be taken include major tasks such as forming and operating Substance Information

Exchange Forums (SIEF), and detailed follow-up for each pre-registration. Strategic decisions made at the start of the pre-registration can have a clear impact on subsequent processes.

GPCA is developing a one-day workshop on AUGUST 27, 2008 in response to the demand of the members of the previous workshop on REACH and also in response to the importance of the first real REACH deadline. The course will zoom in on the actual formation and operation of a SIEF.

Topics covered will include substance sameness checks, communication flows, and decision-making processes between SIEF members regarding data sharing and classification and labeling. How can active SIEF members successfully combine their efforts to organise joint submission dossiers?

The workshop will focus on the potential EU importer and deal with REACH concepts like pre-registration, only representative, consortia, and value chain communication. The strategic consequences for an international company will also be highlighted. The
workshop will provide you:

• Deeper understanding of the basics of the REACH regulation
• Insight in strategic consequences and options for your company
• Tools to assure your overseas market
• Ways to reduce the cost consequences of REACH
• Practical next steps in the implementation of the regulation

This workshop is for people involved in the practical preparation of specific pre-registration strategies with the aim to conduct and finalize the pre-registration process within their companies.