EU new regulation: REACH, Will it affect Sri Lankan exporters?
Better known as REACH, the latest addition to the European Unions ever increasing set of laws, was adopted by the member states and the European Parliament and entered into force in June 2007. Recent scientific research has established that particular chemicals enter living organisms, including humans. In the endeavour to protect Europeans’ health and environment, the European Union have established this new regulation within the chemical sector; REACH the abbreviation for Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals. This new chemical policy initiated by the European Union, was fully supported by all EU member state governments and replaces over 40 regional & national chemical policies within the EU member states.
The European Unions’ determination for a safer Europe has not only affected the manufactures and chemical users within Europe but it has further increased the challenges faced in the world of industrial trade. Targeted at bridging the gap in the information loop on the chemical contents of products coming into Europe, today many manufactures and exporters to the European Union are being accountable by conformance to REACH.
The key objectives of the REACH regulation are to
- Improve protection of human health and the environment from the risks of chemicals.
- Enhance the competitiveness of the EU chemical industry
A White Paper on REACH identifies seven objectives that need to be balanced within the overall framework of sustainable development:
- Protection of human health and the environment
- Maintenance and enhancement of the competitiveness of the EU chemical industry
- Prevention of fragmentation of the internal market
- Increased transparency
- Integration with international efforts
- Promotion of non-animal testing
- Conformity with EU international obligations under the WTO
So would this regulation affect Sri Lanka Manufacturers & Exporters? For Sri Lankan companies exporting to the European Union, conforming to complex regulations is standard. However, for even the experienced business, 30 November is proving to be a confusing deadline. REACH requires approximately 30,000 chemical substances manufactured or imported into the EU to be registered with the European Chemical Agency. With the count down at 4 months, by the 1st of December, Sri Lanka exporters to the European Union in key identified industries must go through the Pre-registration process, which involves submitting detailed technical information about the product, enabling the European Chemical Agency to verify the products are safe for humans and the environment. Substances and manufactures not registered by the 1st of December 2008, will be restricted in doing business with the European Union buyers.
The question that arises within the mind of every Sri Lankan exporter to EU is – does my product require REACH Pre registration & Registration? A majority of items, e.g. Apparel, shoes or textiles, etc contain chemicals. Some of these are potentially hazardous when released. Those substances intended to be released as part of the utility of the article (e.g. the ink in a cartridge), will need to be registered if they are classified as dangerous.
To assist the Sri Lankan manufactures and exporters to the European Union, The European Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka together with partners from Europe & India, have embarked on an “REACH awareness and sensitisation campaign” under the LASER PROJECT. Through the “REACH awareness and sensitisation campaign”, Sri Lankan exporters are able to gain access and assistance in
- Gaining in-depth knowledge on the new regulation - REACH.
- Identification of REACH Pre-registration requisites for your product.
- Assistance in REACH Pre-registration process.
For further information on the support provided to please visit LASER Project sensitization in Sri Lanka
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