REACH stands for 'Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals' and is a European Union requirement for the registration and evaluation of all chemical substances that are used within the EU.  REACH required pre-registration of substances by 1 December 2008.  The time scale for subsequent full registration is dependant on the tonnages involved.

Note: Polymers and formulations are excluded from registration.  The monomers they are made from and other substances present in the mixture are subject to pre-registration and registration.

The next phase is actual registration and the next registration deadline is for anything made in quantities over 1000 tonnes per annum or with defined hazards such as carcinogenic or harmful to the aquatic environment is 1st December 2010.

Note : this has no impact on materials manufactured by Beardow Adams.

More information, can be found on the European Chemicals Agency / ECHA web site: http://echa.europa.eu 

Beardow Adams position

All of the materials manufactured by Beardow Adams at Milton Keynes are preparations made by blending polymers and substances together with no chemical reactions taking place.  As such no new substances are formed and we have not been required to pre-register nor subsequently register any of our finished goods. As such we are a downstream user.

To ensure continuity of supply of our preparations, we have been in conversation with our raw material suppliers and no supplier has indicated REACH will disrupt availability of their products for known end uses.  To ensure that all end uses will be included in the exposure scenarios compiled by the raw material registrar, we have the opportunity to inform our suppliers of all customer applications.

The end uses that we have identified are all industrial (SU3) or professional (SU22) use and are listed below.  We have not advised of any consumer use (SU21). 

If you have an end-use that is not covered by this list please contact your Beardow Adams representative or e-mail info@beardowadams.com as soon as possible.

PROC1: Use in closed process, no likelihood of exposure
PROC2: Use in closed, continuous process with occasional controlled exposure
PROC3: Use in closed batch process (synthesis or formulation)
PROC4: Use in batch and other process (synthesis) where opportunity for exposure arises
PROC5: Mixing or blending in batch processes for formulation of preparations and articles (multistage and/or significant contact)
PROC7: Industrial spraying / Air dispersive techniques
Spraying for surface coating, adhesives, polishes/cleaners, air care products,
PROC8b: Transfer of substance or preparation (charging/discharging) from/to vessels / large containers at dedicated facilities
PROC9: Transfer of substance or preparation into small containers (dedicated filling line, including weighing)
PROC10: Roller application or brushing
PROC11: Non industrial spraying / Air dispersive techniques
PROC12: Use of blowing agents in manufacture of foam
PROC13: Treatment of articles by dipping and pouring
PROC14: Production of preparations or articles by tabletting, compression, extrusion, pelletisation

More information is available from:

http://guidance.echa.europa.eu/docs/guidance_document/draft_R12_update_revised_after_peg_clean_20091109.pdf