More on REACH, this time from the RetailBulletin:
Buried within the 849 pages of the legislation, there are provisions that directly affect retailers by increasing the amount of information they will need from suppliers about the chemicals used in products.
Companies importing finished goods from outside the EU will have to work with suppliers to establish which chemicals are contained in these products. From 2011, importers of articles containing certain substances may be obliged to submit data to the authorities. Regardless of the origin of products, as early as 2009 retailers will also have an obligation to answer whether products on their shelves contain certain substances listed by authorities within 45 days.
See New legislation poses challenges for supply chains and corporate reputation for the full article.