REACH: Don't scramble to pre-register

London -  REACHReady is advising companies to sit out the initial rush to pre-register substances under REACH and wait until the IT system has had time to bed in. The best time to pre-register will probably be from July onwards, so this month will be an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the IT system, the advice  agency set up by the Chemical Industries Asociation suggests .

On the otherhand, ReachReady warns "don't leave it until November to pre-register as the REACH IT servers could be overloaded in the last minute rush." To access the REACH IT system click here  while companies seeking help in determining what to pre-register or how to do it can also join REACHReady as a Gold subscriber and make use of its helpdesk. REACHReady is also re-running its "REACH - the basics and pre-registration workshops in London on 19 and 20 Aug.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), meanwhile, has launched a 12-week consultation on how the REACH regulations will be enforced. The consultation, which closes 25 Aug,  will seek comments on the proposed UK enforcement authorities, the scope of enforcement duties, proposed penalties and appeal routes. Companies wishing to participate, go to www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/reach-enforce/