End of 2020, the European Commission has published the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) with a clear plan to restructure the chemical universe. With this initiative, the European Commission sets out a new cross-regulatory hierarchy in chemicals management: The so-called toxic-free hierarchy with the aim to eliminate and remediate hazardous chemicals, to minimize and control the exposure of chemicals to humans and the environment and to promote safe and sustainable chemicals. The strategy is no legislation by itself but it affects all chemical regulations in force, first of all REACH and CLP.
The strategy sets a clear action plan for the implementation of the new regulatory hierarchy. At the end of 2022, we will face the first major actions in connection with the proposal for the planned REACH update. Currently, several impact assessments and public consultations are ongoing.
Most prominent and discussed are:
- Revision of registration requirements for Annex VII Substances including the requirement for a chemical safety assessment and an extended Safety Data Sheets (eSDS) to be provided to downstream users
- Introduction of a general Mixture Assessment Factor (MAF) for unintended mixtures in the environment and for human health
- Introduction of an overall information on environmental footprint for chemicals
- Registration requirements for certain polymers
- Reformation of the authorisation and restriction process with the establishment of an essential use concept.
The planned REACH update will have a significant impact on the daily work in regulatory affairs. Even though it will take some time before the REACH update comes into force, industry should prepare for it in time. Is your portfolio ready for the new regulatory era?
Have a look at our webpage and/or get in touch with our experts to learn more about the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the planned REACH update, and to assess your portfolio’s readiness.
Your contact for all topics related to sustainability: knoell Germany GmbH, Konrad-Zuse-Ring 25, 68163 Mannheim, Oliver Spaniol Group Leader Product Safety and Stewardship, sustainability@knoell.com