Under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals ("REACH Regulation"), companies manufacturing phase-in substances or importing them from outside of the European Union above one tons per year but not above 100 tons per year must successfully register such substance(s) before June 1, 2018 (i.e., by May 31, 2018) in order to place them on the EU market following that date.
On December 20, 2017, the Directors' Contact Group, a platform of the European Commission, European Chemicals Agency ("ECHA") and industry associations, published a Recommendation to help small-volume and SME registrants in registering for the 2018 REACH registration deadline in which it recommended the four following actions:
- Reducing the costs of data for 1-10 tons registrants by exploring data waiving arguments;
- Addressing situations caused by late data-sharing negotiations or pending dispute decisions;
- Reducing the cost burden on SMEs by allowing payment in installments; and
- Offering a low-cost affordable lump sum payment option for 1-10 tons registrants.
According to the ECHA press release on this matter, the ECHA will hold its REACH 2018 Stakeholders' Day on January 31, 2018, when first-time registrants can get advice from ECHA and industry experts, and can ask questions of ECHA staff.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
