Information obligation about SVHC substances now also applies to component products

According to Article 33 of the European Chemicals Regulation "REACH," the supplier of a product is obliged to immediately inform commercial buyers about substances of very high concern (SVHC) in their products if their concentration exceeds 0.1% by mass in the product. Private consumers must be informed within 45 days upon request.

The interpretation of the term "product" in this REACH regulation was controversial. The legal dispute centered, among other things, on whether the threshold of 0.1% by mass applies to the entire product or also to sub-products. On September 10, 2015, the European Court of Justice ruled: Sub-products are also subject to the information obligation regarding SVHC substances. The judgment has drastic consequences for almost all manufacturing companies and traders. Especially companies selling complex products will face a significant increase in bureaucratic effort.

How companies can professionally handle the new legal situation, restrictions on use and authorization, as well as the information obligations for affected substances, compounds, and products, will be demonstrated on September 17 at a REACH event at the Fraunhofer IPA.

"REACH is the European Chemicals Regulation for the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemical substances. It has been in force since 2007 and aims to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment. At the same time, it ensures the free movement of chemicals within the internal market and promotes competitiveness and innovation. REACH is based on the principle that manufacturers, importers, and downstream users take responsibility for their chemicals: they must ensure that chemicals they produce and place on the market are used safely. The abbreviation 'REACH' is derived from the English title of the regulation: 'Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of CHemicals.' The REACH regulation is considered one of the strictest chemical laws in the world." (p. http://www.reach-info.de/einfuehrung.htm)