Small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) registering their substances under REACH benefit from a reduced registration fee. However, they have to be able to prove their SME size upon ECHA’s request.

On 29 March 2017, the UK Government invoked Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union (TEU) and notified its intention to withdraw the UK from the EU. Under current circumstances, the United Kingdom will thus become a non-EU (“third”) country as from 30 March 2019. 

According to ECHA’s report the requirements for authorisation have introduced stricter controls of use and have therefore reduced risks from harmful chemicals to workers and the population at large. They have often led to early substitution to safer alternatives. Where applicants made a convincing case that substitution was not possible the recommended authorisations permit them to continue using substances of very high concern and to avoid substantial costs to society. 

The September issue of the ECHA Newsletter highlights four important developments that you can look forward to related to biocides still this year. You can also find out what hinders companies from proactively updating their REACH and CLP data and if the reform of the US chemicals legislation is likely to survive the time of the Trump administration.

ECHA’s first report on the operation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation shows that notifications from EU companies to export certain hazardous chemicals outside the EU have grown by 74 % in the past three years.