(openPR) - The new European Union chemical policy, Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH), is aimed at ensuring a high level of protection of health and the environment as well as enhancing innovation of green chemicals. In principle REACH applies to all chemicals. Therefore, building a successful and cost-effective strategy to control substances of very high concern (SVHC) is critical. Armed with strong expertise and a global laboratory network, SGS offers a range of REACH services (www.reach.sgs.com/proceedings.htm) and helps companies to overcome all REACH-related challenges.

SGS also aims to spread any changes in REACH regulations and informs hereby the E&E industry about a new screening methodology. The screening method proposed allows an easy identification of SVHC (www.reach.sgs.com/svhc-testing.htm) relevant for the E&E industry, regardless of whether they are currently on the candidate list or in the registry of intention. The registry of intention includes substances that the EU Member States intend to propose for restriction or identification as SHVC.

A simple system of criteria and score points allows the identification of E&E relevant SVHC that need to be declared:
· Substances identifiable by a CAS or EC number receive 1 point. Substances that don’t meet this criterion score “-10”
· Substances that remain in the product after its production receive 1 point. Substances that don’t meet this criterion score “-10”. Substances that are not part of the final product are thus eliminated (gasses or liquids)
· Prior application information that indicates the use of a substance in E&E products. Such information is collected from public databases on chemicals and through consultation with chemical industry experts on known uses of a substance in E&E products. Such information is available in REACH related EU member countries documentation. Only substances that have scored 1 with the previous two criteria score points here.

All substances that score 3 points are included in the JIG declarable substance list.

REACH Chemicals Relevant for E&E
From the candidate list of 15 SVHC valid at the time of JIG-101 Ed 2.0 publication, only 8 substances were identified through this screening method as relevant for the E&E industry. They are all listed under Criteria 1-R in REACH Annex 1, which means there is an immediate legal obligation to report the presence of these substances. (See substance table: www.ee.sgs.com/sgs-reach-table-en-09.pdf ).

A new public consultation on additional 15 potential SVHC has been published by ECHA on 1st September 2009. These potential SVHC candidates are not yet included in the screening procedure. Even if a JIG assessment on these new substances is currently missing it is very likely that some will make it to the JIG declarable substance list.

The SGS Group is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognized as the global benchmark in quality and integrity. With more than 59,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world.

SGS Electrical and Electronics
Lauren Conroy
REACH Business Development and Consultant
SGS Global Sustainability Services
United Kingdom
t +44 20 8991 3406
ee.global.marketing@sgs.com
www.sgs.com/reach
www.sgs.com/ee