REACH leads the way for future regulatory systems

The European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki is playing a central role in coordinating the new EU chemicals regulation process, called REACH. Naturally, REACH itself will also be an important topic of discussion at the first HCF event in May 2009. Mr Juhani Sormunen, Head of the European Chemicals Agency’s communications unit, was interviewed about the REACH process and its vision.

What will be the global effects of REACH?

“Even though other countries have their own legislation concerning chemicals, REACH can be seen as a pioneering example, leading the way for future regulatory systems globally. REACH places the burden of providing information on chemicals, related risks, and on the ways these risks can be managed, on the industry. Before REACH, this responsibility lay more with the relevant authorities of the EU member states. This new approach will be something that benefits everybody, also globally,” Sormunen believes.

“The EU is also a large economic area and exporter of chemicals. The REACH system is estimated to involve about 50 000 substances and intermediates,” he continues.

Besides improving the protection of human health and the environment, REACH aims to enhance the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry by ensuring free circulation of substances on the internal market of the European Union.

What will have happened in the REACH process by May 2009?

“By January ECHA will publish the final list of pre-registered substances. At that time manufacturers and importers of chemicals can see which substances have been pre-registered. Substance Information Exchange Forums will then be established so companies can share information among one another. The definition and development of our dissemination site will be in progress then. New REACH-IT tools will become available, such as IT-based tools for the Chemical Safety Report, which will be developed to help companies register their substances,” Sormunen says.

What are your expectations for the Helsinki Chemicals Forum?

“I believe there is a lot of potential in the HCF when it comes to sharing information and opening discussion between different players and interested parties in the field of chemicals. Discussion around chemicals and the chemicals sector can affect our future in many ways. Participants will be able to hear different views and ideas which they might not even have considered before. Chemicals are used in industrial processes but also in people’s daily lives, so they play a significant role in the world. It is excellent that different issues related to chemicals can be brought together and discussed at the HCF,” Sormunen says.

“Personally I feel raising the sustainability issue in discussions between different stakeholders will contribute to the same objectives as REACH: better conservation of the environment, safety for people and workers and improved competitiveness within the chemical sector.”

On Wednesday 27th May 2009, prior to HCF, ECHA will organize its second stakeholders’ gathering. This day will give ECHA’s various stakeholders a chance to ask questions and receive information about REACH. Participants must register beforehand.