In an article published on June 7, 2018 by regulatory news provider Chemical Watch, editor Luke Buxton reported that it is possible that not all qualifying substances have been registered by the May 31, 2018 deadline within the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation.
This concern has been repeatedly voiced by the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME). After the deadline requesting the registration of all substances marketed at volumes between 1 and 100 tons, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) confirmed receiving registrations for 21’551 substances in total (FPF reported). Buxton explained that in 2001, it was predicted that 30’000 would be registered under REACH, and later ECHA predicted that “25’000 new chemicals would be registered for the 1 to 100 ton deadline alone.” However, “the final number was 6’824.”
Buxton further informed that both ECHA and CEFIC have said earlier that there is “no need to panic,” because “the estimate was made over 15 years ago and reflected the market at the time.” Further, according to ECHA, “the final figure of completed REACH registration will only be available in early September [2018], once dossier checks have been completed,” as Chemical Watch editor Clelia Oziel reported in an article published on May 31, 2018.
However, UEAPME advisor Marko Susnik argued that the gap between the estimated and the actual registration numbers is “considerable,” and commented that “it is hard to believe that the market has changed so drastically in the last 10 to 15 years.”
Susnik further expressed an opinion that “not even half of the 30’000 estimate would be covered by registrations,” and “so far there is no convincing argument why it [(i.e., the estimation)] should be wrong.” This means, he said, that “companies that should have registered, have not registered and it becomes worrisome.”
Read more
UEAPME (May 30, 2018). “REACH registration deadline: SMEs struggle to comply.” (pdf)
Luke Buxton (June 7, 2018). “REACH registered substances total ‘worse than expected’ – UEAPME.” Chemical Watch
Clelia Oziel (May 31, 2018). “No convincing answers on ‘missing’ REACH 2018 substances – UEAPME.”
Chemical WatchLuke Buxton (February 5, 2018). “’Don’t panic’ – ECHA, CEFIC address ‘missing’ REACH substances.” Chemical Watch
