EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.
Defra: People who manufacture in or import chemicals from outside Europe in quantities over one tonne are required to register these chemicals as part of the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals programme (REACH).
Under REACH, chemicals will be fully evaluated & controlled to manage risks to people and the environment. Between 1 June and 1 December 2008, businesses can ease the REACH registration process by pre-registering the chemicals they manufacture or import with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki.
Failure to do this may have significant implications because businesses will have to stop manufacturing or importing until they register substances:
* Pre-registration means supplying a few pieces of basic information to the Chemicals Agency in Helsinki.
* Registration requires putting together a comprehensive dossier of data about the substance
Press release ~ HSE: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals Regulation (REACH) ~ European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki (ECHA) ~ HSE – Chemical industries website ~ UK Chemicals Stakeholder Forum ~ Defra – Future EU Chemicals Policy ~ EU Enterprise & Industry Chemicals website ~ EU REACH ~ WWF-UK: Chemicals and Health ~ WWF - Too early to celebrate REACH
DfT: The Department for Transport has begun consulting (closing on 22 August 2008) on new construction requirements to be met by manufacturers of vans, trucks, minibuses, buses, coaches, trailers, motor-homes and other special-purpose vehicles. The consultation reflects the requirements of the EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval Directive (ECWVTA), which already applies to cars – See ‘Consultations’ section for more details.
