ERA Technology has published a guide to complying with the new REACH chemical regulations. The guide is designed primarily to assist those in the electrical products sector.

REACH became law throughout the European Union on the 1 June 2007 and has far-reaching implications, not just for chemical manufacturers and suppliers but for everyone in the supply chain. Understanding the implications for you and your organisation is not easy; the regulation is 278 pages long without taking into account the many hundreds of pages of official guidance.

ERA’s guide details what you need to know and how to respond to REACH. Its requirements are explained from the perspective of the electrical products sector, which in REACH terminology means:
	“Downstream users” of “substances or preparations” e.g. users of chemicals in the EU
	“Importers/producers” of “articles” e.g. importers into the EU or manufacturers in the EU of products, sub-assemblies and components
	“Importers” of “substances or preparations” e.g. importers into the EU of chemicals and some raw materials
	“Distributors” of “substances or preparations” e.g. some but not all chemical distributors.

There are also many other new requirements regarding REACH registration, how chemicals are used and what information must be supplied. Some chemical manufacturers are likely to withdraw the supply of niche/low-margin substances where registration costs do not justify continued production. Downstream users need to be aware of this risk to avoid future chemical procurement issues.

ERA’s guide is divided into two main sections:

Understanding and responding to REACH: This section explains the requirements of REACH and goes into detail as far as the electrical product sector is concerned. It also explains the implications of REACH and how to develop and roll out a plan to meet your compliance objectives.

Identifying and substituting Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs): SVHCs comprise various hazardous and otherwise undesirable substances for which greater restrictions and possible bans from use may apply. The problem for electrical product manufacturers, and their supply chain, is understanding the range of substances that are likely to be affected within their production processes. This section explains what restrictions currently apply and to what, how to identify SVHCs, where they might be used and what substitutes exist.

ERA’s guide “REACH Compliance and Hazardous Substance Restrictions – An ERA Guide for the Electrical Products Industry” is available from: http://shop.era.co.uk. Alternatively, please contact ERA’s Publication Sales team by calling +44 (0) 1372 367 342 or emailing pub.sales@era.co.uk.

ERA is also running a “REACH Regulations for Equipment Manufacturers” training course in Leatherhead, Surrey, on 11 December 2007. Please visit http://shop.era.co.uk for more information.

For further information, please contact: chris.robertson@era.co.uk or visit Reliability and Failure Analysis