REACH - Registration, Evaluation, and Authorisation of CHemicals

On the 1st June 2007 the largest piece of legislation ever to emerge from the European Union was introduced entitled REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals).

REACH is an acronym for Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of CHemicals and requires the registration of all chemicals manufacture in or imported into the EU in volumes greater than 1t/annum. REACH ultimately moves the responsibility of chemical hazard management from the authorities to industry.

As a downstream user of chemicals ourselves it is important that we manage the introduction of REACH to protect our supply chain and continue to manufacture products of the highest quality and consistency. The Gurit Project Team has completed the following activities to date;

• Confirming with all of our chemical suppliers their intention to pre-register
• Identifying which substances Gurit would need to pre-register under REACH legislation
• Pre-registering those substances identified
• Undertaking a review of the Substance of Very High Concern list to ensure that Gurit are not using any such chemicals

                             
These activities conclude Phase 1 under REACH legislation. Phase 2 of REACH will follow a process which has been developed in conjunction with the Chemical Industry. This includes manufacturers and importers of chemicals into Europe developing information on the uses of chemicals with Downstream Users such as Gurit and our end customers. Collection of this information is necessary for suppliers to register their products under REACH legislation. At this time Gurit has established the end uses of products sold by Gurit and is in a position to provide this information to our suppliers upon request.