Finnish REACH and CLP helpdesk

REACH

The EU’s new chemicals regulation REACH enters into force on the 1st of June 2007. Its aim is to improve the protection of human health and the environment while maintaining competitiveness, and enhancing the innovative capability of the EU chemicals industry. REACH will furthermore give greater responsibility to industry to manage the risks from chemicals and to provide safety information that will be passed down the supply chain.

The registration process according to REACH requires the manufacturers and importers to generate data for all chemical substances produced or imported into the EU above one tonne per year. The registrants must also identify appropriate risk management measures and communicate them to the users.

REACH will allow the further evaluation of substances where there are grounds for concern and foresees an authorisation system for the use of substances of very high concern. The Authorisation system will require companies to switch progressively to safer alternatives where a suitable alternative exists. All applications for an authorisation need to include an analysis of alternatives and a substitution plan where a suitable alternative exists. Current use restrictions will remain under REACH system and new restrictions can be proposed.

CLP

The new 'CLP' Regulation; Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC)No 1907/2006 entered into force on 20th January 2009. CLP regulation is based on the global classification and labelling scheme developed within the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS) known commonly as the 'Purple Book'. CLP will ensure that hazardous chemicals will be described and labelled the same throughout the Europe and will contribute to the harmonious development of world trade and to the progressive abolition of restrictions.

CLP will amend and eventually repeal the existing directives for substances and preparations. The manufacturers, importers and downstream users can start conform to CLP immediately. However, the transition period of CLP for substances is 1 December 2010 and for mixtures (preparations) 1 June 2015.

CLP Regulation will bring change to the present EU Classification scheme, most notably to the label and terminology used. For example the old symbols will be changed in new pictograms, old R- and S-phrases will be changed into H (hazard) and P (precautionary) statements. Signalwords "danger" and "warning" will be applied on the label.

Finnish Competent Authority

In Finland, a competent authority for REACH and CLP is The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes). This authority is responsible for maintaining the helpdesk to provide advice for enterprises and other interested parties. For any information concerning REACH or CLP, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Contact Information

For any information you can contact us through our contact form (only in Finnish), or by telephone:

+358 400 393 033 during office hours