REACH — the new single regulatory system for chemicals management in the European Union — was published on December 30, 2006. Arakawa Europe, along with the rest of the chemical industry from raw materials suppliers to manufacturers and importers as well as downstream users, are assessing the requirements and impact of the new chemicals management system. REACH has entered into force on June 1, 2007. Pre-registration will occur between June 2008 and December 2008. Depending upon substance volume and classification, the deadlines for registration are November 30, 2010, May 31, 2013 or May 31, 2018.
Arakawa Europe supports the objectives of REACH and the responsibility the legislation places on company’s in the supply chain to manage the safe use of chemicals. Working with Cefic (European Chemical Industry Council) through The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), one of the joint venture shareholders, we have been actively engaged to support the development of effective and workable legislation and have now shifted our attention to work with our customers and suppliers on REACH implementation.
ARKON* premier water-white hydrocarbon resins are polymers, and polymers are exempted from registration requirements under REACH.
However, REACH does require registration of raw materials, other substances and additives that are used in the manufacture of polymers as follows:
- Monomers as well as any other substances that have been reacted into the polymer backbone must be registered if a polymer produced in or imported into the EU consists of 2% or more by weight of such monomers or other substances and if the volumes of monomers or other substances in reacted form exceed one metric tonne per annum.
- Polymer additives need to be registered if they are manufactured or imported on their own or in compounded form in volumes of one metric tonne or more per annum.
ARKON resins marketed by Arakawa Europe are produced by Dow Olefinverbund GmbH Böhlen, Germany. At this time, Arakawa Europe is working closely with Dow to ensure pre-registration of substances in REACH relevant raw materials and other components that are manufactured in the EU or imported into the EU for the manufacture of ARKON* resins.
We have received a variety of questions and requests for information regarding Arakawa Europe’s implementation of REACH. Some frequently asked questions and the answers we are able to provide at this time can be found below.
In the Product Information Sheets you can check the status of registration of our resins.
REACH — Frequently Asked Questions
REACH — Product Information Sheets
* Trademark of Arakawa