15 Apr 2010

A Review of the Requirements and Solutions for REACH Compliance

Intertek, the leading provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of industries, will participate in the 6th Chemspec India at the Bombay Exhibition Centre on 15-16 April 2010 by providing updates on the far-reaching European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) regulation.

2010 marks the 6th anniversary of Chemspec India. It is the only dedicated event in India for suppliers of fine and specialty chemicals and associated products and services. This event provides a perfect opportunity for companies to connect with the best in the industry.

Under REACH, all chemical substances that are manufactured in or imported into the EU in amounts of over 1 tonne per year need to be registered with the EU Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The regulation affects manufacturers, importers, distributors or users of chemical substances or products sold and traded in the EU, across industries ranging from electrical and electronics, aerospace and automotive, life science and medical, building products, retail products, chemicals, to textiles and toys.

Dr. Ruud Overbeek, Vice President of Intertek’s Health and Environmental services said, “The impact of REACH on any product should not be underestimated. Companies with products being sold or distributed within EU should have a clear understanding of their REACH obligations to ensure business continuity. Intertek is working with many Indian companies right now in meeting their REACH responsibilities and, consequently, having no disruption in their business.”

“This regulation is complex and companies are coming to Intertek with a lot of concerns and questions regarding the staged deadlines and for help in meeting their requirements”, states Mr. Harsh Chopra, Country Manager-Intertek, India. He further added, “REACH makes industry bear most responsibilities to manage the risks posed by chemicals and provide appropriate safety information to their users.”

In addition, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published a list of 30 Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) on a so-called “Candidate List”. Once a substance is added to the SVHC Candidate List, REACH imposes certain immediate obligations on manufacturers and importers to disclose the presence of these substances in their products. The regulation mandates that manufacturers and importers of articles are now required to notify their customers and users on the presence of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) in any of their products when exceeding 0.1% by weight and provide instructions on safe use of the product.

Intertek provides REACH Services globally, offering complete end-to-end solutions for compliance. Intertek's global network of specialists addresses chemicals and SVHCs with supporting global analytical services and risk assessment. Intertek provides a single-source solution for meeting the registration, testing, and documentation requirements of the REACH Regulation. With their presence in more than 110 countries worldwide, Intertek enables companies to facilitate their REACH compliances more effectively.

Contacts
For further information, please contact

Sunanda Kadam +91 99200 61911; sunanda.kadam@intertek.com 
Madhumita Guha +91 98689 29561; madhumita.guha@intertek.com


About Intertek Health & Environment (www.intertek.com/green)
Intertek Health & Environment offers the complete solution for global, regional, or local compliance, providing sound traceability systems and implementation of company specific policies. Intertek does more than simply help our clients comply, we give them the competitive advantage they desire. We provide comprehensive solutions for Restricted Substances, REACH, California Proposition 65, Global Chemical Notification, and Greenhouse Gas management, including carbon reduction management. Services include strategy consulting, regulatory and product safety consulting, testing and analysis, legal representation, certification, scientific research, and corporate education appropriate for all types and levels of business. We deliver solutions to meet our customers' needs in managing their products in today's complex global marketplace.

About Intertek (www.intertek.com)
Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 25,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world.