From the American Coatings Association:

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) issued an alert on Aug. 13 offering chemical manufacturers advice as to when they may keep the names of chemicals they make confidential when they notify the agency about their chemicals, required under the classification, labeling, and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP ) regulation, (EC) No. 1272/2008.

As of Jan. 3, 2011, companies that manufacture, import, use, or distribute chemical substances or mixtures must provide information about the classifications of and labels for any substance or mixture, regardless of its annual tonnage, before they place it on the European Union’s market. Placing a chemical on the market means making it physically available, whether for payment or free of charge, according to information posted on the chemical agency’s website.

Specifically, chemical manufacturers, importers, or distributors can claim the IUPAC name confidential if their chemical is new to the European market; if it is an intermediate, meaning it is used to make other chemicals; if it is used for scientific research and development; or if it is used in the development of what the manufacturer hopes will be a new chemical product, the agency said.

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Relevant Nexreg Compliance Links: REACH compliance, EU SDS authoring, SDS authoring