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 finally came into force in June 2007. Pre-registration took place from June to December 2008. Now registrants must engage in the Substance Information Exchange Fora (SIEFs) to share information with other companies wishing to register the same substance.
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. |
