REACH

The REACH Regulation lays down the rules for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemical substances in the EU. It entered into force in June 2007. The first deadline for registrations was 1 December 2010. Registrations of substances need to be carried out by manufacturers and importers. As clay is exempt from registration (according to Annex V) and ceramic products are articles (according to the definition in article 2), the ceramic industry has its main responsibilities and obligations as a Downstream User (DU). Cerame-Unie has prepared a guidance document and several explanatory documents which are available to its members. The main concern for ceramic producers is the uncertainty whether or not suppliers will actually register and whether therefore supply of essential substances will continue after the registration deadline.

Candidate list

In the framework of the authorisation process, Member State Competent Authorities or ECHA, on request of the Commission, may submit dossiers for the identification of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) in accordance with REACH article 59. These substances are added to a recurrently expanding ‘candidate list’ triggering communication requirements for Downstream Users. Following a prioritisation process, these SVHC substances are added to the list of substances subject to authorisation, Annex XIV. Cerame-Unie has responded to consultations for substances being proposed for the candidate list, such as borates and refractory ceramic fibres.

Refractories

The European Refractories Producers Federation PRE, member of Cerame-Unie, has set-up a REACH Working Group focusing on the substances relevant for the refractories industry. Further information can be found here.