The aim of REACH is to improve the protection of human health and the environment through a better and earlier identification of the properties of chemical substances. At the same time, innovative capability and competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry should be enhanced.

The REACH proposal has passed the European parliament’s first reading and the EU Competitiveness Council has reached a political agreement on the regulation. There will still be a second reading during Finland’s presidency in the end of 2006. It is expected that the regulation will take effect during 2007 after which the registration process will start and take up to 11 years.

The regulation proposal covers around 30 000 substances presently on the market. These substances must be evaluated and registered by the end of 2017 in order to ensure their further use on the EU area. The consumption and marketing of the most hazardous substances will become subject to licence.

The REACH-Strategy of Bang & Bonsomer

Bang & Bonsomer is on group level prepared to meet the REACH challenges

• A group task force has been established and meets regularly
• The IT-system is being developed to fulfil the REACH requirements
• At the first stage mapping and comparison of registered products and available product data is being done in cooperation with suppliers and principals
• Special focus will be given on raw materials from outside the EU, e.g. from the Far East
• Future sourcing strategy will consider requirements of the REACH regulations.

Further information

Further information concerning the activities of Bang & Bonsomer as far as REACH is concerned will be given by Pirjo Tähkänen, Quality and Product Safety Manager.

Telephone Int + 358 9 681 08221
e-mail pirjo.tahkanen@bangbonsomer.fi