Chemicals Guides

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Competitiveness in the European Chemical Industry by Ina Dimireva — last modified 22 September 2009, 22:47 CET

Since industrial competitiveness is of central importance for the Commission, on the basis of the Communication "Implementing the Community Lisbon Programme: A policy framework to strengthen EU manufacturing" a High Level Group on the Competitiveness of the European Chemicals Industry in the European Union was set up.

REACH - Recycling and Waste Prevention - Clean Air by Ina Dimireva — last modified 03 September 2009, 14:14 CET

A long-awaited compromise on the REACH - the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals - was adopted by the European Union in December 2006, to come into force in June 2007. REACH is hoped to increase protection of human health and the environment while enhancing the innovative capability and competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.

EU and China agreements to strengthen cooperation on protecting Intellectual Property Rights and on preventing illicit imports of chemical substances used for synthetic drug production - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 30 January 2009, 14:19 CET

Commissioner Kovacs, responsible for Taxation and Customs, today signed an Action Plan with the Chinese Ambassador Song to strengthen customs cooperation on protecting Intellectual Property Rights. They also signed an agreement to enhance customs co-operation in monitoring trade and preventing trafficking and the diversion of drug precursors (chemicals that are essential to the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs).

EU ban on dimethylfumarate (DMF) in consumer products such as sofas and shoes - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 29 January 2009, 23:01 CET

The use of the biocide (DMF) dimethylfumarate - which has caused severe allergic reactions in hundreds of consumers, because of its use in every day consumer products such as couches and shoes - looks set to be banned across the EU. Today, EU Member States voted in favour of a draft European Commission Decision to ensure that consumer products, such as leather furniture or footwear, containing the strongly sensitising (DMF) are not placed on the market in the EU. If already on the market, these products will have to be recalled and withdrawn without delay. In countries such as France, Finland, Poland, Sweden and the UK, consumers exposed to products containing DMF, have experienced serious health problems including skin itching, irritation, redness, burns and, in some cases, acute respiratory difficult. The draft Commission decision is for an emergency EU wide measure, pending the adoption of a more permanent regulatory solution. Following today's vote, the draft Commission decision will be submitted for consultation to the European Parliament before going before the College of Commissioners for final approval.

EU ban on mercury exports - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 25 September 2008, 19:07 CET

The EU Council today adopted legislation banning all exports of mercury from the European Union. The export ban is a key part of the EU's strategy for reducing the global supply of mercury and thereby limiting emissions of the highly toxic heavy metal into the environment. The legislation requires mercury that is no longer used in the chlor-alkali industry – the chemical industry sector responsible for chlorine and caustic soda production – or that is produced in certain other industrial operations, to be put into safe storage once the export ban takes effect in March 2011.

European Chemicals Agency ECHA - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 03 June 2008, 16:02 CET

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) was officially opened on 3 June 2008 by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Finnish Prime Matti Vanhanen. Located in Helsinki, ECHA is responsible for managing the implementation of the REACH requirements in relation to the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction processes of chemical substances. ECHA formally began its activities a year ago and its work has been devoted to intensive preparations, including staff recruitment and establishing support structures and procedures. On 1st June 2008 two key processes of REACH entered into operation: Registration of chemicals and pre-registration of the some 30,000 chemicals currently in use (e.g. acids, metals, solvents, surfactants). Manufacturers or importers of chemicals have to pre-register them by 1 December 2008 if they want to continue manufacturing or importing them without interruption. It has been estimated that over 180,000 pre-registration files will be submitted.

ECHA - Implementing REACH in practice by EUbusiness — last modified 03 June 2008, 15:55 CET

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki is opening today. This coincides with the start of the key processes of pre-registration and registration under REACH. The European Commission and ECHA therefore remind companies to pre-register their chemicals before 1 December 2008. Mandatory registration of non phase-in substances started on 1 June 2008.

European Chemicals Bureau - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 01 May 2008, 23:10 CET

On 29 April 2008, the European Chemicals Bureau (ECB) at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre celebrated 15 years of contributing to a high level of protection for workers, consumers and the environment through the identification of dangerous chemicals. The ECB has contributed substantially to the new chemicals regulation, REACH, which entered into force on 1st June 2007, which aims to improve human health and the environment while strengthening the competitiveness of the chemicals industry. The ECB officially hands over its experience to the newly created European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki on 1st June 2008.

European Chemicals Bureau - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 01 May 2008, 23:08 CET

On 29 April 2008, the European Chemicals Bureau (ECB) at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre celebrated 15 years of contributing to a high level of protection for workers, consumers and the environment through the identification of dangerous chemicals. The ECB has contributed substantially to the new chemicals regulation, REACH, which entered into force on 1st June 2007, which aims to improve human health and the environment while strengthening the competitiveness of the chemicals industry. The ECB officially hands over its experience to the newly created European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki on 1st June 2008.

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the REACH Regulation - Questions and Answers by EUbusiness — last modified 07 June 2007, 22:24 CET

The new European chemicals legislation, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restrictions of Chemicals) entered into force on 1 June 2007, and with it the new European Chemicals Agency started operations in Helsinki. The aim of the EU's REACH regulation is to improve protection of human health and the environment while encouraging innovation and keeping the EU's chemical industry competitive. The Agency, which is responsible for managing the implementation of the new requirements, is to launch a website providing key information such as guidance documents, helpdesks and other tools relating to REACH. Starting on 1 June 2007, the Agency will have to work hard to become fully operational on 1 June 2008, when companies will begin on-line submission of pre-registrations and registration dossiers.

REACH EU chemicals policy - Q&A by EUbusiness — last modified 14 December 2006, 13:45 CET

Questions and Answers on the European Union's new Chemicals policy, REACH

Restriction of Hazardous Substances EU Directive by EUbusiness — last modified 27 October 2006, 12:40 CET

RoHS is the acronym for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, the European Union (EU) directive (Directive 2002/95/EC) which bans new electrical and electronic equipment from being placed on the EU market if they contain more than agreed levels of certain hazardous substances.