Chemicals, oil companies face REACH market ban
22 Nov 2007
An estimated 50% of companies affected by the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) legislation are not taking the necessary action to protect themselves, warns the BMT Group.
A BMT survey of the chemicals sector found that many chemicals and oil companies were under-prepared just seven months before they have to pre-register their substances.
Under the radical EU regulations, manufacturers, formulators and importers of chemicals are required to register all substances with the new European Chemicals Agency. Failure to do so will prohibit these companies from marketing their products within the EU.
BMT principal consultant Nikki Robinson said: "It is of great concern that so many companies are ill-prepared for REACH and it will have a fundamental impact on their future operations."
At this year's Offshore Europe exhibition BMT found that 50% were unclear as to their obligations under the new regulations.
"Seven months will prove a tight deadline for even medium-sized chemical manufacturers with a modest portfolio of less than 100 chemicals," said Robinson. "The data that will need to be collated and submitted for each substance as part of the pre-registration is likely to require significant resources, even without the complication of having third party suppliers' intentions and practices to think about."
BMT's experts consider the biggest area of work is in identifying all the substances that require registering under REACH. Particular areas of concern include the calculation of tonnage data for a number of years' trading.
A BMT survey of the chemicals sector found that many chemicals and oil companies were under-prepared just seven months before they have to pre-register their substances.
Under the radical EU regulations, manufacturers, formulators and importers of chemicals are required to register all substances with the new European Chemicals Agency. Failure to do so will prohibit these companies from marketing their products within the EU.
BMT principal consultant Nikki Robinson said: "It is of great concern that so many companies are ill-prepared for REACH and it will have a fundamental impact on their future operations."
At this year's Offshore Europe exhibition BMT found that 50% were unclear as to their obligations under the new regulations.
"Seven months will prove a tight deadline for even medium-sized chemical manufacturers with a modest portfolio of less than 100 chemicals," said Robinson. "The data that will need to be collated and submitted for each substance as part of the pre-registration is likely to require significant resources, even without the complication of having third party suppliers' intentions and practices to think about."
BMT's experts consider the biggest area of work is in identifying all the substances that require registering under REACH. Particular areas of concern include the calculation of tonnage data for a number of years' trading.
