REACH
REACH is an EU regulation that covers Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals.
REACH has been in force since 1st June 2007 and replaces various European Directives and Regulations with a single unified system. This regulation may take several years to take full effect throughout the EU but BSS Industrial are taking steps now to ensure that we comply.
What are the objectives?
The main purpose of REACH is to promote the highest possible levels of protection for people's health and protect the environment from the use of chemicals.
REACH is designed to ensure that both manufacturers and importers of products containing chemicals covered by the legislation understand and manage the risks associated with their use.
It is likely that some products will ultimately be withdrawn from the market as a direct result of REACH.
Who is REACH aimed at?
The regulations cover the manufacturers, importers and distributors of these products as well as the ultimate end-users who will be using the products. The main emphasis is on chemicals which are intended to be released into the atmosphere during use.
Who is driving REACH?
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), is responsible for the overall registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction processes throughout the EU.
In the UK the Health & Safety Executive is the official government body responsible for REACH.
For more information about REACH see: http://www.hse.gov.uk/reach/about.htm
What is BSS Industrial doing?
BSS Industrial do not manufacture any products but we do purchase and distribute products that include chemicals designed for intentional release during use.
We are currently working with our suppliers to establish if any of these contain chemicals covered by the REACH regulations and to verify what action they intend to take with the products that they supply. Our responsibilities as a distributor are to pass relevant information about these products up and down the supply-chain as it becomes available.
In order to comply with these responsibilities we may from time to time make changes to the material safety data sheets (MSDS) on our website for the products concerned.
Where required by the REACH regulations the withdrawal of certain products from the market by the supplier may be required.
