FESPA | The Implications of REACH

The Implications of REACH

Monday, 20 October 2008 17:00

Failure to register will mean no sale within the EU.

There are a number of implications that will follow on from this regulation. Since registration will be costly this financial burden will be passed down the supply chain leading in some cases to the withdrawal of chemicals from the market place. Failure to understand the ramifications of REACH can have disastrous effects upon the future of many screen and digital printers as well as their suppliers.

There is help available. FESPA itself has been staging presentations on REACH around the world. There is free guidance provided to assist all sectors of the industry. This forum will be able to channel members to get the right information to insure their business does not fail to meet the REACH challenge and lose a valuable market.

FAQ: Implications of REACH for Screen & Digital Printers

Who could be affected by REACH?
Apart from consumers everybody in this industry who has any commercial dealings with Europe is likely to be affected and needs to know what they are required to do.

What are the actions needed by the printers who sell products to customers in the EU?
It is necessary to confirm that inks and other products they use do not contain chemicals that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, repro-toxic or toxic to aquatic environment in the article at a level of greater than 0.1% or any chemical that can be emitted into the environment during its entire life cycle. Examples of potential problems where registration is likely are digital ink cartridges and machinery containing lubricating oils, lead-based and some UV curing inks. To ascertain whether any very hazardous chemicals are included in the products it will probably be necessary to contact your suppliers. The hazardous nature of the chemicals used will be declared on the containers under the new Global Harmonisation System - a world-wide transport and hazardous labelling system that will shortly be introduced.

What are the ramifications for printers selling products?
If any ink, substrate, consumable or machinery manufacturer has to make a registration they will endeavour to recover those costs from their customers who will pass this charge down the supply chain. If chemicals are withdrawn because of cost, substitution will be needed that could affect the product performance.

Do digital ink cartridges need to be registered?
They are considered as articles that will emit chemicals during their entire life cycle and must be registered.

NEW - When will we know which substances have been pre-registered?
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published on its website a list of pre-registered substances. The list contains about 150,000 substances which were pre-registered by 65,000 companies between 1 June and 1 December 2008. ECHA has been screening part of the information submitted and due to the high number of pre-registrations ECHA will continue to check the information into the New Year. The fully screened list will be published at a later date.

It is possible to download the list at the following web site address:
http://echa.europa.eu/doc/press/pr_08_58_temp_submission_closed_20081216.pdf
This is a large file and access can be slow.

Further information on the pre-registration process can be accessed at:
http://echa.europa.eu/doc/pre-registration/pre_reg_qa_en.pdf

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