Get ready for a change in rules

May 13 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

TEES firms, from hairdressers to large scale manufacturers, which use chemicals in their daily business, are being urged to prepare for new rules.

REACH - Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals - is due to come into effect on June 1.

Richard Bishop, Health and Safety Executive inspector for the North East, said REACH, which tightens up the regulations surrounding hazardous substances and caused huge controversy when first proposed, was not just about the chemicals industry.

“The regulations apply to a host of familiar things that we all have contact with - metals, glues, paints, solvents, detergents, plastics, polishes, pens, computers to name but some. Aspects of REACH touch on them all.

“For example, a company that produces metals may have to register the substances that make up alloys under REACH. Equally, a company may provide a substance that may not in itself be an obvious chemical, but some, or all of the starting ingredients of its product may be covered under REACH.”

The EU estimated that REACH would cost industry between £1.5bn and £3.5bn over 11 years, although other estimates put it as high as £8.6bn, as hazardous substances are re-tested or removed from the market.

But it will also save Europe £36bn over 30 years, it said, because fewer people would fall ill as a result of exposure to chemicals.