Steve Shaw Operations Director RAPRA Limited

Introduction European Community Regulation REACH (EC 1907/2006) came into force on 1 June 2007 The motive for REACH is to improve the protection of human health and the environment through the better and earlier identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances Due to the fact the measures are so pervasive, it is widely perceived as an over complex and consequently difficult piece of legislation to comply with This has resulted in a huge explosion of online and offline REACH support literature and services

Main aim of the project To create a toolkit for the European polymer industry that includes a new, interactive, innovative software application capable of guiding users through the entire REACH process, including: Understanding their individual requirements Which tests they need to perform The registration process

Main aim of the project The intention is that the REACH FOR POLYMERS toolkit will become a leading, if not the definitive, resource for companies throughout the industry, wherever they are in the supply chain, providing them with an efficient, innovative and user-friendly method for complying with REACH

Challenges that the project faced The requirements for REACH compliance are constantly evolving as the regulators respond to industry feedback and scientific knowledge improves The regulations have been interpreted and implemented differently across the 27 EU member countries The project has a finite life, yet REACH will be with us for the foreseeable future There is already so much support available, all well intended, but some seeks to exploit the lack of resources, knowledge and understanding that exists, particularly within SMEs

Challenges that the project faced The diverse range of activities spanning the Polymer Supply Chain – from raw material producers, to end-users The massive variation in levels of scientific, technical and legislative understanding within the community affected by REACH – the people and organisations the project was designed to help The Global effects of REACH

Main Stages and Outputs The REACH for Polymers Project designated six main groups :

Downloadable FREE online at Benchmarking Report - capturing the current understanding and level of compliance as a baseline State of the Art Report - capturing compliance best practices across Europe Technology Roadmap – Identifying opportunities resulting from REACH Best Practice Handbook Best Available Testing Techniques and Methods Guide Downloadable FREE online at and on the FREE pens/memory sticks Main Stages and Outputs

The REACH for Polymers Online Toolkit Search by subject / keywords defined by the user Most useful contents – defined by users Search for contents related to REACH for Polymer subjects best practices requirements evaluation what tests to perform registration process Search for contents related to the six designated groups Search by tags Main Stages and Outputs

What next? Final Project meeting in Liège, Belgium on the 17 th October, hosted by Sirris Project completion date – 31 st December 2012 – all outcomes delivered. Materials available FREE online at or from project partnerswww.reachforpolymers.eu The overall predicted useful life of the project outputs is at least 6-8 years. However, links from our website to third party materials are recognised as having the highest risk, thus reducing the effectiveness of the toolkit CASO, the software partner, is contracted to maintain the website (including links) for 2 years beyond the end of the project and all partners have a vested interest in ensuring the contents remain relevant and valid

What next? Once final report approved in March 2013, project IPR transfer to REACH for Polymers Consortium The partners currently have no plans to commercialise the project outputs The intention is to provide access FREE across the EU and within their own networks, for the useful life of the products