All Irish businesses manufacturing or importing chemicals can gain real benefits by taking the time to pre-register for the major new REACH chemicals regulations which will shortly come into effect, writes Dr. Sharon McGuinness, Assistant Chief Executive of the Health & Safety Authority.

REACH, which stands for the Regulation, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, is the new EU regulation for chemicals. It switches responsibility for the control and safe use of chemicals from regulatory authorities to the actual businesses who are manufacturing, importing and using chemicals or putting them on the market.

In practical terms, this means that from June 1, 2008 many businesses in the Irish auto industry will be obliged to register the chemicals they manufacture or import, before they can continue using them. Registration involves generating data on their substances to assess risks and develop risk management measures

However, REACH has a special provision, called pre-registration, which enables businesses to secure up to 10 years' extra time to fully register and continue to manufacture or import the chemical. The pre-registration timeframe runs from 1 June to 1 December 2008. If businesses don’t pre-register, they will be obliged to register immediately.

Pre-registration will allow companies to continue manufacturing and importing their substances until the formal registration deadline is reached over the next decade (log on to www.reachright.ie for or call the REACH Helpdesk on 1890 289 389 for specific deadlines.

IBEC has launched an industry advisory service for REACH www.reachaid.ie, or you can contact your local trade or industry association.