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Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
01 Jan 2024
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Under European Union law, the REACH regulation aims to protect human health and the environment from the risks of chemical substances and requires manufacturers and importers of chemicals to provide information on their properties and safety, and to register them in a central database managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The regulation applies to substances which are manufactured or imported into the EU at 1 tonne per year or more.
Following the UK’s departure from the EU, UK REACH applies in the same way across England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland remains subject to EU REACH under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Only Representative Services
As a non-EU based substance or article manufacturer, or reformulator of blended mixtures, organisations can appoint an EU based Only Representative (OR) as the REACH registration holder in the EU. This same appointment can be made under UK REACH for a UK based OR.
Maintain regulatory compliance
Working towards a sustainable chemicals industry since 1973, Ricardo’s expertise can support your organisation with chemical hazard and compliance management globally, across all stages of the product life cycle and supply chain. Ricardo have been working with both EU and UK REACH since their inception and can provide a full range of compliance solutions as a REACHReady approved supplier. Ricardo can also act as an OR for companies that are not based within the EU or UK*.
*Please note, distributors cannot appoint an OR directly and require the manufacturer or reformulator in their supply chain to provide the appointment letter.
Registration services
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UK |
Lead RegistrationRicardo can support companies registering substances which have not been registered under REACH before. With solutions ranging from testing strategy creation and laboratory monitoring, to dossier creation and risk assessment; we can provide services to support both the EU and UK REACH regulations. |
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Joint registrationWhere a substance has previously been registered under EU REACH and a new potential registrant is required to join the existing registration. Ricardo can prepare both dossiers required for joint registrations, confirm substance sameness with the lead registrant, engage the lead registrant in cost sharing negotiations and perform all necessary submissions. |
New Registration of Existing SubstanceUsed when a company is providing a substance to the UK market for the first time which has already been registered by others in the UK. Dossier preparation, gathering of substance identity information and submissions can all be performed by Ricardo. |
Downstream User Import NotificationOnly performed by a UK based company who received REACH registered material from an EU REACH registrant prior to 1 January 2021 and wishes to continue to do so. Ricardo can create notifications and perform submissions. |
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Grandfathering RegistrationWhere a UK based company held an active REACH registration number prior to 1 January 2021, it is possible to claim a free Grandfathered UK REACH registration. Ricardo can create and submit claims on behalf of UK based entities. |
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Dossier Improvement Services
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in collaboration with EU Member States routinely checks dossier completeness, quality, and substance sameness. ECHA and the EU Member States issue decisions against registrants where dossiers are found to be incomplete or in need of revision.
In 2019, CEFIC launched an Action Plan Package to help its members maintain dossiers in-line with the evolving requirements of ECHA, and in 2020, the European Commission adopted an implementing regulation specifying deadlines for registrants to submit updates to their EU REACH dossiers under different circumstances.
Ricardo has solutions to improve dossier quality and can perform evaluations of existing dossiers, drawing from the wide range of in-house expertise from toxicology and environmental mobility, through nanomaterial identification and regulatory risk assessment.
Ever-evolving regulatory landscape
The chemical sector’s regulatory landscape is evolving at pace. Our network of regulatory experts provides customers with notification of incoming changes at the earliest opportunity, and further support through life cycle assessments, reformulation modelling and strategic adaptation plans to maintain compliance.
Broader sustainability support is also available through our multi-disciplinary team: from defining sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets, to implementation plans and processes supporting tactical delivery – our solutions can be tailored to the requirements of each organisation at each stage of their journey toward a more sustainable future.
Speak to an expert
By relying on Ricardo’s REACH experts, our clients are able to plan for market launches, receive advice on label requirements which helps anticipate market reception, and give their customers piece of mind that regulatory compliance is addressed before they order the product.
Contact our experts today for a free, no-obligation discussion of your requirements.
Solutions for the chemical sector
Our expertise and strong ties with the chemical industry, policymakers and downstream users worldwide enable us to support organisations in understanding and managing challenges related to safety, compliance and sustainability within the chemical sector.
We offer tailored support from cradle-to-grave across the entire chemical supply chain. Our experts have an in depth understanding of global industry landscape and work to solve the challenges these pose to organisations at all stages in the value chain.
