REACH - UK Chemicals Database

REACH - A database of chemicals marketed in the UK is to be developed by the Chemicals Industry Association (CIA) in preparation for the forthcoming EU REACH proposals, with the aim of filling a gap in industry knowledge.

A debate on REACH was held in January between industry and environmentalists in which the CIA Director, Business and Environment, Stephen Elliot, admitted that, at present, the industry was ignorant of what chemicals were on the UK market.

Mr Elliot said “This database is being developed as a direct response to the question – how many chemicals are in the marketplace and therefore likely to be affected by REACH? The CIA [believes] the establishment of such a database is an essential step not just in terms of REACH, but also in terms of the industry’s commitment to sustainable development.”

The REACH forum provided industry and environment groups the opportunity to justify their stance on what is being hailed as the most important chemical legislation of the last 20 years.

European Chemicals Industry

Mary Taylor, of Friends of the Earth, who was also on the debate panel, welcomed the news of the database, saying: "This could be a useful initiative… There is clearly a lack of knowledge about the exact structure of the ‘chemicals industry’ and downstream users in the UK too. This is causing uncertainty about the exact impact of the legislation.”

The CIA has said the database will contain information on all chemicals marketed in the UK by members of the Association.

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