REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of CHemicals), is the European Union programme for the regulation of both new and existing chemical substances on the European market. It is designed to achieve the following:
- Registration of basic information on chemical substances submitted by companies to a central database.
- Evaluation of the registered information to determine hazards and risks.
- Authorisation requirements imposed on the use of high-concern substances.
- Restriction of a substance’s use if it poses an unacceptable risk to health or the environment.
Coming into force in 2007, with staggered deadlines depending on tonnage and hazard class through to 2018, the regulation covers all substances manufactured in or imported into the EU in tonnages of 1 tonne per year or more.
Reach Compliance Timeline - Click to enlarge
The first major REACH registration deadline was 30th November 2010. wca environment has worked for a number of clients across a variety of industries to meet this deadline, and has been involved in nearly 400 successful registrations.
wca environment, building upon its successful 2010 registrations and considerable expertise working under previous regulatory regimes, is well placed to assist companies in all aspects of REACH registration for both 2013 and 2018 deadlines. We have considerable experience with all aspects of REACH, including initial data review and assessment, through to IUCLID5 file preparation/hosting and final registration. Specific tasks with which wca environment can help you business to undertake include:
- Technical information searches
- Data review and assessment, including robust summary preparation
- IUCLID 5 dossier preparation and secure IUCLID software hosting for consortia and SIEFs
- Substance identity and physical chemical properties
- Classification and labelling (including CLP/GHS)
- Data gap analysis and design of Integrated Testing Strategies
- Human health hazard assessment of physicochemical properties
- Human health hazard assessment and toxicology study commissioning/management
- Environmental hazard assessment and environmental fate/ecotoxicology study commissioning management
- PBT and vPvB assessment
- Environmental exposure assessment/modelling
- Risk characterisation
- CSA/CSR production
- Assistance with dossier submission via REACH-IT
A particular area of expertise is in the field of risk assessment and characterisation. wca environment scientists have had extensive involvement in the derivation of predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs) and limit values for substances in water, soils, sediments and waste, and in producing hazard and exposure assessment for chemicals. In addition, we have successfully developed bespoke monitoring programmes to reduce uncertainty in exposure calculations. Our expertise is directly relevant to the complex activities involved in preparing Chemical Safety Assessments (and Exposure Scenarios) required for substance registration under REACH. See details of our REACH Compliance Programme or download our REACH Services Brochure.
wca environment are also able to provide assistance for the later stages of REACH. Please see our page on Socioeconomic analyses.
As well as preparing Classification and Labelling Proposals as part of REACH projects we can also assist clients in preparing their CLP notifications for substances with later REACH registration deadlines, or which do not fall under REACH.
For enquiries or for further information please contact solutions@wca-environment.com
