Transitional measures regarding existing substances

Outstanding information requests for existing substances – Article 136(1) and 136(2) of the REACH Regulation

Manufacturers and importers are required to submit additional information on certain substances to Member State Competent Authorities according to Regulation (EEC) No 793/93. Articles 136(1) and 136(2) of the REACH Regulation provide for transitional measures regarding these requests.

Member State Competent Authorities are responsible for reviewing the information submitted and informing ECHA of any follow-up action required (REACH Articles 46(3) and 48).

Overall, 29 existing substances are affected by the transitional provisions (nickel-compounds are counted as one entry). The information requested is specified in the Regulations (EC) No 465/2008, 466/2008, 506/2007, 565/2006, 642/2005 and 2592/2001.

For the 16 substances listed in Regulation (EC) No 465/2008 which are subject to Article 136(2) of REACH, ECHA has identified and nominated Member State Competent Authorities to carry out the evaluation tasks.

Annex XV transitional reports for priority existing substances not finalised under Regulation 793/93 – Article 136(3) of the REACH Regulation

EU Member States have submitted Annex XV transitional reports to ECHA. These reports contain outstanding hazard and risk information and possible risk management options for so-called existing substances, developed under Regulation (EEC) No 793/93.

EU Member States were required according to article 136(3) of the REACH Regulation to submit transitional reports between 1 June and 1 December 2008 for substances for which the risk evaluation, the development of strategy for limiting the risks or the discussions were not finalised before 1 June 2008.

Voluntary risk assessments

In 2000, industry announced that it would voluntarily assess certain copper and lead compounds according to the mechanisms of the implementation of the Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93. The Member States and the Commission agreed on this initiative at the 11th Joint meeting of the Competent Authorities for the implementation of Directive 67/548/EEC and Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 in 2001.