A short piece by PRW.com:

A list of 37,768 chemical substances pre-registered under the European Union’s (EU) Reach chemical control system has been released.

This should help plastics processors ensure that their supplies have been notified to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

Click on the above link or click here for the database of pre-registered substances.

Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: Nexreg, REACH Compliance, EU SDS Authoring.

The Gift and Home Trade Association has a very useful, if somewhat alarming, white paper on Proposition 65:

Here are some common misconceptions about Proposition 65 and similar legislation (referred to as “Prop 65″):

Prop 65 doesn’t apply to my products:  This is not a safe assumption unless you’ve actually tested your products for compliance.  Prop 65 affects a HUGE array of consumer products.  Past lawsuits have targeted candles, brass darts, christmas lights, hammers, mineral oil, billiard cue chalk, picture frames, french fries, chocolate, jewelry, ceramics, glass bottles, apparel, lunchboxes, and many, many other types of products…

If Prop 65 was a “big deal” I would already be hearing about it in the industry: Most defendants quietly settle their lawsuits to avoid a highly public defense, which can be a PR disaster.  Dozens of small-to-midsize gift industry vendors have already settled significant Prop 65 lawsuits.  Most large vendors have been named in multiple lawsuits.  But almost nobody wants to discuss their lawsuits publicly.

If you sell consumer products in the United States, then Prop 65 is something you will want to be aware of.   If you sell consumer products intended for children or having play value your products are covered by the new CPSIA.  This GHTA White Paper provides an overview of Prop 65 and the CPSIA, describes how they are and will be affecting companies in the gift industry, and provides some additional sources of information.

Click on the above link for more information.

Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: Nexreg, OSHA MSDS Authoring, CPSC Consumer Label Reviews.

Remember, just a month to go for pre-registrations!  CIOL.com has a terrific primer on REACH:

If a pre-registration window that is open until the end of November is missed then substances cannot be imported or sold until fully registered, and the safety data and risk assessments could take many months to prepare.

Substances of Very High Concern or SVHCs are the most hazardous chemicals and can be toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, reproductive toxins and harmful to the environment. These may need to be “authorised” for use and such authorisation will not be given if there are safer alternatives, or if the substance cannot be safely controlled…

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are required when a substance or preparation (but not articles) are supplied to any user in the EU where certain criteria are met. This would include dangerous substances as classified by the Dangerous Substances Directive, persistent, bioaccumulative or toxic substances or those deemed as of very high concern.

The costs of registration are significant and depend on the tonnage and size of company…

Clearly, some manufacturers will prefer to discontinue a product rather than put it through the REACH process. As a result, the EC estimate that 2 percent of all substances will be made obsolete.

Click on the links for more information.  Nexreg has more information on REACH at the following link:

• REACH Compliance Consulting

To speak to a Nexreg representative about how REACH will impact your company, please call or e-mail Nexreg at:

Nexreg Toll Free: 1-866-361-3032
Non-Toll Free: (519)488-5126 (London, ON, Canada)
E-mail:info@nexreg.com

Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: Nexreg, REACH Compliance, EU SDS Authoring.