Equipment

Packaging firms that do not ensure suppliers are aware of the imminent pre-registration period for strict European chemicals laws face materials being taken off the market.

Some 30,000 chemicals, such as acids, metals, solvents, surfactants and glues, must be pre-registered with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) from 1 June to 1 December 2008, to -comply with the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (Reach) legislation.

But companies that do not pre-register a chemical cannot continue manufacturing or importing it after 1 December until they make a full registration with the ECHA.

Reach requires that all chemicals of one tonne or more that have been made in or imported into the EU are registered with the ECHA.

Pre-registration allows companies to submit their complete registration dossiers by the deadlines of 2010, 2013 or 2018 that apply to most chemicals currently on the market. Suppliers will also be able to share data on the chemicals they register.

Tim Jessel, commercial director of ReachReady, the subsidiary of the Chemical Industries Association that runs seminars and offers guidance on the laws, said: "Many firms are not just taking Reach on board, but are taking it upon themselves to educate their supply chains.

"The converse is also true and there are companies out there that wish it would all go away. Some are convinced that it will, but they are mistaken."

Reach fees
* The basic registration fees for Reach, announced last month, range from e1,600 (£1,265) for substances produced in volumes below ten tonnes, to e31,000 for those above 1,000 tonnes
* There will be discounts of up to 90% for 'micro' firms with fewer than 10 staff and a reduction of 25% for firms that apply for joint registrations
* Firms with fewer than 50 staff and a turnover of less than e10m will receive a 60% discount
* Firms with fewer than 250 staff and a turnover of not more than e50m will be able to claim a 30% discount

 More from http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/reach/reach_intro.htm