European Chemicals Agency

Asked about industry's progress in relation to deadlines set by Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals law, the European Chemicals Agency says visibility into the situation remains hazy. "We are trying to alert and remind everyone about their obligations, but we receive very limited feedback about how the processes are going in reality," the agency noted in an e-mail. "We may only make conclusions after the deadline in December 2010" (1"The Rose Sheet" Feb. 1, 2010). The 2010 deadline does not apply to all manufacturers and importers, but ECHA "takes very seriously" the challenges that may be faced by small and medium enterprises (SME) in preparing their registration dossiers. In addition to other awareness/education initiatives, ECHA has begun launching 2"Guidance in a Nutshell" documents "providing condensed and SME-friendly guidance with the aim of explaining, in simple terms, specific topics of particular relevance to the non-scientific reader." Meanwhile, core guidances are being published in 21 official European languages, ECHA says. According to the agency, general findings from more than 1,000 inspections carried out by national authorities will be announced by the end of the first quarter. Forthcoming document entitled "Minimum Criteria for REACH Inspections" will offer more detailed direction for inspectors, ECHA says