REACH

LATEST INFORMATION - 28/02/2008

What is REACH?

REACH is based on the concept that industry itself is best placed to ensure that the chemicals it manufactures and puts on the EU market do not adversely affect human health or the environment. Further details on the broad principles behind REACH can be obtained through the Eurometaux Gateway (www.reach-metals.eu).

What REACH services can I expect from the European Copper Institute ?

ECI is providing Secretariat services to an industry consortium. This will maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the industry's efforts to meet its REACH obligations.

The key outputs of the consortium will be registration dossiers for the agreed inventory of substances. Each dossier will include a Chemical Safety Report and/or a Technical Dossier including the identity of the substance, study summaries and test proposals, industry recommendations for risk management actions as a function of specific exposure scenarios, plus recommendations for classification and labelling.

Has ECI carried out any pre-investment in preparing for REACH?

In late 2000, anticipating REACH, the global copper industry mandated ECI to manage the preparation of a risk assessment (VRA) for copper metal and a small number of copper compounds. This comprehensive voluntary initiative, which took five years to complete, was submitted to the European Authorities in May 2005. Member State review will be complete in early 2008. The VRA provides 90% of the requirements of the Chemical Safety Report for copper.

What products are covered by ECI’s consortium?

ECI's consortium covers copper metal, plus a defined inventory of by-products (intermediates) produced during the smelting and refining process. Examples are matte, anode slimes and slags. ECI will cooperate closely with the third party leading a separate consortium for copper compounds . Click here to download the Consortium Agreement (pdf format)

What will it cost me to be a part of ECI’s consortium?

ECI’s members, who include the International Copper Association, have already made a significant, multi million euro, investment in the VRA. Within the REACH spirit of "One Substance One Registration”, non-members are welcome to join for a fair fee that covers a share of this initial investment, plus a contribution to future costs. Fees are primarily a function of tonnage. Click here for fee information.

How can I find out more?

Click here to contact ECI. Please include your company name, details of the contact person, and the products that you need to register.

To join, complete Appendix 1 (Word format) and return, by mail, to ECI. The first General Assembly of the Consortium took place, in Brussels, on February 26th 2008. Twenty three companies were signed up as founding members.