With the passing of the 2013 deadline for the second phase of the EU’s REACH policy (see IBO 12/15/06), the framework is now in place for regulating chemicals produced at 100–1,000 tons per year. A 2010 deadline applied to substances of very high concern (SVHC) and chemicals produced at levels above 1,000 tons per year. The European Chemical Agency found 69% of dossiers for the deadline noncompliant and issued draft decisions, most now being reviewed by chemical producers. In sum, 83 substances have been selected by EU members for evaluation. One SVHC, a phthalate, has been authorized, with seven more phthalates awaiting authorization. For the 2013 phase, 9,030 dossiers for 2,998 substances were registered. The deadline for the next regulatory phase is in 2018, when chemicals produced at 1–100 tons per year must be registered. This standard is expected to affect many more companies, including smaller businesses and specialty materials producers.

Source: ICIS