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At the end of 2006, the EU adopted a single regulatory
framework named REACH (Registration, Evaluation
and Authorisation of Chemicals)
that replaces the current dual system for assessing “existing” chemicals – placed
on the market before 1981 – and the few “new” substances
that were marketed after then. The overall political aim of REACH
is to encourage innovation, competitiveness and the proper functioning
of the internal market on the one hand, and to increase the safety
of humans and the environment on the other, reflecting the precautionary
principle.
After several rounds of negotiation, the EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorisation of Chemicals) regulation has finally come into force in June 2007, and industry must be prepared for the pre-registration phase, which commences in June 2008.
The European Precious Metals Federation (EPMF) has set up a Precious Metals Consortium (PM Consortium), covering silver and silver substances, gold and gold substances, as well as platinum group metals (PGMs) and PGM substances.
The IPA and its members are involved in the PM Consortium to ensure a consistent response from the PGM industry.
Joint preparation for REACH will increase time- and cost-efficiency, and will boost the weight and credibility of our industry in its relations with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
To find out more about the PM Consortium, please visit the site of the EPMF www.epmf.be. |
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