The EU’s REACH legislation places the responsibility squarely on manufacturers and importers to ensure the chemical composition of their products does not endanger human health. Keeping track of the data and making it available on demand poses a number of challenges for compliance.

The principle REACH is based on is that it is the responsibility of industry participants to ensure that only chemicals are introduced into the market (directly as chemicals or forming a part of products) that do not have an impact on human health or the environment. To comply, the industry needs accurate knowledge of the attributes and risks involved with the substances it places on the market.

The need for supply-chain communication and the requirements of detailed information about the chemicals used and the composition of substances in products means importers have to make sure that their suppliers understand and are complying with their obligations under REACH (ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/chemicals/reach/index_en.htm). Many suppliers outside the EU are finding it difficult to satisfy the demands for information due to a lack of experience with regulatory compliance or a proper understanding of what is asked of them. This means that some importers require an on-site assessment to check every supplier and the testing of all products to ensure compliance. Although this may be effective, it proves impractical and not really viable for reasons of the high costs involved and because it would have to be repeated to cater for any changes to components or raw materials used. In addition, due to the complexity of REACH regulations and the geographic spread of suppliers, training them is problematic.

A supplier self-assessment web-based training tool specifically has been developed to address this need. The purpose of the tool is to assist manufacturers and importers to achieve REACH compliance. It requests the supplier to report on information and controls already in place, provides them with online training, while ensuring that the appropriate controls are implemented and prompting suppliers to keep all the mandatory records involved.

About REACH
REACH places responsibility on industry to manage the risks that chemicals may pose to public health and to the environment. Most REACH requirements apply directly to manufacturers and importers, who must register substances (either pure, or those classified as mixtures) by supplying data on the properties of their chemicals.They are also obliged under REACH to develop chemical safety assessments and implement risk management measures.

Through our global network of laboratories and highly trained specialists, SGS offers a one-stop-shop for services to ensure that your production and distribution systems support your compliance with REACH legislation.

For more information on SGS REACH solutions contact the SGS REACH experts.

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Ian Allard
REACH Project Manager & Sustainability Consultant
SGS United Kingdom Limited
Saunders House, 52-53 The Mall
Ealing, London W5 3TA United Kingdom

t: +44 0203 008 7860
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/pages/consumer-testing/sgs-consumer-goods-and...

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 70,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,350 offices and laboratories around the world.

Ian Allard
REACH Project Manager & Sustainability Consultant
SGS United Kingdom Limited
Saunders House, 52-53 The Mall
Ealing, London W5 3TA United Kingdom

t: +44 0203 008 7860
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/pages/consumer-testing/sgs-consumer-goods-and...

This release was published on openPR.