Archroma announced solid progress on Phases 3 and 4 of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of Chemicals) with more than 60% of its commercial products active in EU complying already with the June 2018 requirements.
In total, 369 different chemical substances are within the scope of the REACH phases 3 and 4, including 135 dossiers where Archroma has a lead registrant position in the EU.
In the first two phases – completed, respectively, in November 2010 and May 2013 – the company recorded a total of 60 chemical substances that are produced in or imported into EU countries with volumes greater than 100 tons per year. In the third and fourth phase of REACH that is currently under way, all the remaining chemical substances of more than 1 ton per year must be registered by June 1, 2018.
Unlike many EU importers of textile and paper chemicals, Archroma controls the composition of its formulations, and can therefore ensure full REACH compliance of each ingredient in its products with its expert chemical management system.
Archroma is a major registrant of substances relevant to the textile and paper industries at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The company expects the total investments needed to be REACH ready to amount to US$14.5 million.
Carole Mislin, Global Head of Product Stewardship at Archroma, says, “The REACH objective to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals is fully in line with our own belief that we can make our industry sustainable. Hence our early commitment to REACH without the slightest hesitation – because it’s our nature.”