SECAUACUS, N.J.—Consortiums are being formed and the time to participate is now if companies are hoping to continue selling chemicals into the EU, as the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization of Chemicals) program is implemented. Mindy Goldstein, Ph.D., Estee Lauder, gave an update at SupplySide East on the REACH initiative, its deadlines and requirements, and what to expect on a global level after full implementation.
While pre-registration ended in December 2008, there may be some flexibility, Goldstein said; however, any ingredients that weren’t pre-registered are, in fact, considered new substances and must be immediately registered. At this point, consortiums are being formed among suppliers, importers and manufacturers to share the cost of required toxicity testing, with different levels of involvement in each Substance Information Exchange Forum (SIEF). Goldstein further outlined the expected implementation timeline through 2013, and noted compliance will be easiest in an environment of shared resources and organized in-house procedures.
