Reach could affect Japan chem firms – association

15 December 2006 04:12  [Source: ICIS news]

TOKYO (ICIS news)--The Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA) said late on Thursday that the new regulations in Europe could have adverse effects on both Japanese chemical companies and user industries due to ambiguities.

There were many problems and issues that needed to be clarified before the regulations were launched, the association said in a statement.

These include the registration procedures for data sharing, and regulations which could work against non-European companies who try to form consortiums in Europe, it added.

The European Parliament on Wednesday adopted the revised legislation establishing Europe’s new regulation, Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (Reach), which could be implemented on 1 June 2007.

Other questionable areas include companies having to register monomers used in the making of polymers when exporting plastics raw material to Europe, JCIA said.

Even if companies could manage risks in the use of substances of high concern, they would have to submit substitution plans when applying for approval, it added.

A particular chemical, while waiting for approval, could also end up being blacklisted by buyers, it said.

It added that the regulations would also require information to be available along the supply chain, from the chemical suppliers to downstream users.

This could cause confusion as the industry would have less than six months to respond before the regulations come into force, the association said.

JCIA added that it would strive to support Japan’s chemical companies to respond to Reach by preparing appropriate and clear guidelines for them.

By: Tomomi Yokomura
+65 6780 4359

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