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The new EU chemicals legislation for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals came into force on June 1, 2007. Known as REACH, the legislation requires companies manufacturing or importing products in the European Union (EU) above certain volumes to register the substances and their uses with the newly created European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Registration requirements
Until December 1, 2008 companies were able to pre-register their substances for REACH. Pre-registration allows companies up to 10 years to complete the full registration process while continuing to market their products. The timing of the full registrations depends on the volumes and, in some cases, the hazards of the chemical substances. Higher hazard and volume substances must be registered by December 2010, moderate volume substances by June 2013, and low volume substances by June 2018.
REACH status at Air Products
At Air Products, we have been preparing for the REACH legislation for some time. Air Products’ REACH compliance project is appropriately addressing requirements of the legislation at its various stages.
We can confirm that Air Products has successfully pre-registered all substances in our products as planned and we have worked with our suppliers to secure our raw material positions.
Pre-registered products by segment
Through the links below you can access lists of products that are covered by our pre-registrations. Please select the industry segment in which you are interested to access the product information.
If you cannot find your product or have a question about REACH, please contact our Product Information Center in the U.S. (PRODINFO@airproducts.com) or send an inquiry to REACH@airproducts.com. Additional information is also available through our REACH Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
If you are interested in possible coverage of pre-registered products by an Air Products nominated Only Representative please send your inquiry to our REACH mailbox.
At this stage we plan to complete the registration of all our products from the lists above in accordance with the schedule provided by the legislation. It is too early at this stage to give a precise timetable for registration. There is a possibility that despite our efforts, supply conditions could change between now and the long-term registration deadlines of 2013 and 2018, resulting in some products not being registered as currently planned. Please be assured that, in such event, Air Products will make every effort to give as early warning as possible to manage such a transition.
Pre-registration numbers
Air Products can confirm that it has duly obtained pre-registration numbers for all pre-registered substances and that all products listed above are covered by pre-registration under the REACH directive for each necessary supply chain.
The pre-registration number is randomly generated and does not have the structure or meaning of a registration number; it is not substance or company specific. Therefore the recommendation of both the EU Commission and CEFIC is that this number does not have to be published. Accordingly, Air Products’ policy is not to provide pre-registration numbers.
We understand that our customers, who are not necessarily members of the relevant SIEF’s, may wish to have the pre-registration numbers in order to get additional assurance. However, we trust that our clear, unequivocal statement of confirmation of pre-registration contained herein is adequate assurance.
Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC’s)
In June 2009 ECHA finalized its first recommendation for inclusion into Annex XIV that contained seven substances although their final inclusion into Annex XIV is not likely to happen before mid 2010. Furthermore, in September this year ECHA published its second candidate of SVHC’s containing another 15 substances.
Air Products continues to track updates to the Annex XIV list and proactively communicates to those customers purchasing products containing these substances in line with its obligations under REACH regarding the inclusion of such substances in any of Air Products’ products.
Air Products will keep such customers updated on our future plans for any products which will become subject to authorization.
Downstream Uses
Please click here for more information on Downstream Uses
Exempted substances
Please be aware that substances exempted from the obligation to be registered by Annex IV and V will be available for any use unless limited by other regulation. These substances will not require communication of identified uses to the supplier because it will not be necessary to develop exposure scenarios for them. Most of the common gases supplied by Air Products are exempted by inclusion in Annex IV or V – see “Industrial and Specialty Gases” link above under section “Pre-registered products by segment”.
For more information about the REACH legislation and related guidance documents, please visit the ECHA website.
Content updated on 29 October 2009 |
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