The REACH Regulation, implemented on 1 June 2007, enters a new phase this year, with the immediate registration of substances manufactured or imported by more than 100 tons per annum. During the 10th regulatory Convention of the Cosmetic Valley, Sonia Benacquista, from the French Union des Industries Chimiques (UIC; Union of the Chemical Industries), came to present the lessons learned through the first years of Reach application, and the worries of the next deadlines for cosmetic companies.
As a preamble, Sonia Benacquista reminded the audience of the REACH principles, which she called "the most advanced regulation worldwide dealing with chemicals management."
The aim of REACH is to improve the protection of human health and the environment, by improving the knowledge on chemical substances and through a better management of the risk linked to their use.
In practice, the industry shall register the chemical substances and provide information about the management of the risks all along the supply chain. The Authorities will, then, decide on new regulation for a better management of risks (authorizations or restrictions) and to assure the public at large of the access to the pieces of information about substances.
The schedule of REACH registration comes in several steps, depending on the manufactured and imported tonnages. Until 30 November 2010, the following substances were concerned:
• ≥ 1000 tons per year,
• R50/53 (very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment) ≥ 100 tons per year,
• CMR (carcinogenetic, mutagenic of harmful to the reproduction) 1 et 2 ≥ 1 ton per year.
The second step, for substances ≥ 100 tons per year, ends on 31 May 2013. …
