ECHA Publishes New Guidance on Safety Data Sheets

~dREACH Update

~tECHA publishes new guidance on Safety Data Sheets

~w2011

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published new Guidance on the compilation of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). The document is now available in the Guidance section of the ECHA website.

This guidance provides information on:

• what is new in SDSs according to REACH by comparison with the previous legislation issues to consider when compiling an SDS;
• details of the requirements for information to be included in each Section of an SDS, in particular detailing the changes arising from the revisions of Annex II of REACH;
• the timetables for implementation of Annex II and its amended Annexes;
• who should compile the SDS and what competences the author should have.

The Guidance is particularly useful to SMEs as well as other suppliers of substances and mixtures in the EU and EEA and will be published in 22 EU languages. A copy of the guidance document is available at:

ECHA, 8 September 2011

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~dREACH Update

~tEU Commission launches survey on impact of REACH on innovation

~w2011-09-16

A second survey relating to the 2012 REACH review has been launched by DG Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission. The survey will provide input to a study on the impact of REACH on the ability of the EU chemical industry to innovate. It targets manufacturers and importers of chemical substances as well as downstream users, distributors, formulators and other companies involved in the chemicals supply chain. The term innovation includes product, process, marketing and organisational innovation, and the survey covers innovation from product conception through testing and piloting to production. The survey, which is being conducted by consultant Centre for Strategy and Evaluation Services (CSES), is expected to remain open until 7 October 2011. For further information go to:

Chemical Watch, 9 September 2011

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~dREACH Update

~tDraft Commission Regulations (EU) amending REACH Annexes XIV and XVII have been made available in the comitology register

~w2011-09-16
The European Commission has released a draft regulation amending Annex XIV of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals ('REACH') legislation. The draft is available on the comitology register. The draft proposes to include eight additional substances in Annex XIV to REACH. It is planned to be submitted to the REACH Committee meeting of 28 and 29 September 2011 for a vote. In addition a draft amending REACH Annexe XVII has been published. This draft is also available in the comitology register and will be submitted to the REACH committee for a vote on 28 and 29 September 2011.

Europa, 8 September 2011

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~dREACH Update

~tECHA consults on testing proposals for 34 substances

~w2011-09-16

ECHA has called for information on testing proposals involving vertebrate animals for 34 substances. Scientifically valid information and studies from third parties should be submitted to the agency by 31 October 2011.

ECHA, 15 September 2011

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