Challenge for retailers

The new legislation, known as Reach (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals), regulates the production and use of chemical substances. The key principle of the legislation is that chemical producers will have to prove that their products are safe through submitting certain data to the authorities. Dangerous chemicals will have to undergo a special authorisation procedure.
As all consumer products contain chemicals, all are likely to be affected by the legislation to some degree.
Impact on retailers
The 849 pages of the legal text contain provisions that will directly affect retailers by increasing the amount of information they will have to obtain from suppliers about the chemicals used in their products.
Companies importing finished goods from outside the EU will have to work with suppliers to determine which chemicals are contained in these products. From 2011, importers of goods containing certain substances may be obliged to submit data to the authorities. Regardless of the origin of products, from as early as 2009 retailers will also have an obligation to supply information on whether products on their shelves contain substances listed by the authorities within 45 days.
Benefits of the new legislation
In the past, environmentalist consumer groups have attacked retailers and consumer goods manufacturers about the chemicals in their products, giving impetus to the new legislation. Around 30 000 chemicals are to undergo testing within the scope of Reach.
"Reach is the most comprehensive piece of chemical legislation in the world. Retailers should be confident that chemicals which go through this process have been thoroughly assessed and are safe for consumers and the environment," states Tim Edgar from the European Council of Plasticisers and Intermediates, a European chemicals industry association.
Assistance from industry
The chemical industry has a comprehensive amount of knowledge about many chemicals covered by the rules. The manufacturers are also prepared to help retailers understand and prepare for implementation of the legislation. As Tim Edgar points out, "The new legislation will mean an increased need for communication throughout the entire supply chain. We look forward to stepping up our existing work with retailers so that we can all implement the legislation in the most efficient way possible."
Tim Edgar, deputy director at the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI), can be contacted by email at ted@cefic.be.