Eurofins | BLC REACH Testing and Compliance Services
Eurofins | BLC are here to help your business bring fit for purpose products to the market through REACH testing services. Our REACH testing covers a variety of testing and support services including:
- REACH SVHC testing and screening service – Eurofins | BLC test for the presence of the latest published SVHC list
- Annex XVII testing for legal compliance – applicable to articles sold & manufactured within Europe
- Smart testing service for REACH – saving your business significant costs by combining materials for testing
- Supply chain support
- Legislative guidance on REACH regulations
Eurofins | BLC also offer a wide range of chemical testing services.
Request a quote for REACH testing
SVHC Risk Matrix: Available to Eurofins | BLC Members
Eurofins | BLC Members can access the SVHC Risk Matrix, which guides members through the current SVHC’s. The SVHC Risk Matrix details the uses, applications, and the risk (high/medium or low) of substances being present in a number of different material categories.
Eurofins | BLC Members can download the SVHC Risk Matrix today from the Member Toolkits section on the Eurofins | BLC Leather Tech website.
REACH Regulations and Compliance Explained
REACH is a European Union Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. REACH regulations aim to give industries greater knowledge about the chemicals they use and ultimately this contributes to the prevention of health problems caused by exposure to chemicals.
Reach Regulations, which came into force on 1st June 2007, were adopted because many thousands of chemicals are used within the EU, but the risks to human health and the environment from many of these are not widely known. REACH regulations intend to address this by making manufacturers, importers and distributors responsible for understanding and managing the risks associated with their use.
What is the scope of REACH Regulations and Compliance?
REACH covers all chemical substances manufactured in, or imported into the EU in quantities of 1 tonne per year or more. Registration under REACH is for substances only, however, the provisions of the regulation apply to the manufacture, placing on the market or use of substances on their own, in preparations or in articles.
What are the different stages of the REACH process?
Registration
Manufacturers or importers will need to register any substance they supply to the EU market above 1 tonne per year
Evaluation
The ECHA will carry out annual in-depth evaluations (i.e. assessments) of substances flagged as being of potential high risk (e.g. on the basis of information provided at registration)
Authorisation
The uses of substances of very high concern (SVHCs – go to our SVHC list and Reach regulations page for more information ), e.g. CMRs (carcinogens, mutagens, and toxic to reproduction), PBTs (persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic), and vPvBs (very persistent, very bioaccumulative) will require authorisation
What is the candidate list?
The candidate list is a step in the REACH authorisation process. It is an SVHC list nominated by the European Commission or by the member states and decided upon by the ECHA after public consultation. The candidate list can constitute a requirement list for consumers and retailers. When asked by a consumer whether a certain product contains a substance listed on the SHVC list, the retailer has a legal obligation under REACH Regulations to comply.
How do I comply with REACH Regulations?
Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors, Retailers and Downstream users all have responsibilities under REACH. In addition to this, substances, preparations and articles are subject to different provisions under REACH. Meanwhile, non-EU companies and EU companies also have different obligations.
In brief, under REACH manufacturers and importers must register, with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), each substance manufactured or imported in quantities of more than 1 tonne per year and Downstream users’ will have a range of obligations under REACH legislation which primarily relate to ensuring the safe use of the chemical product, as well as providing information and documents to further downstream customers. This will mean that your products will need to be tested at an independent laboratory in order to ensure REACH compliance.
Why do I need to comply with REACH Regulations?
It is a criminal offence to fail to comply with REACH regulations. Regardless, of your position within the supply chain you will have legal responsibilities under this legislation. Enforcement decisions are made on a case by case basis with compulsory measures ranging from withdrawal of products from the market and import rejections through to fines and even imprisonment.
Why choose Eurofins | BLC to conduct your REACH testing?
- UKAS accreditted laboratory (UKAS 0076)
- One of the fastest testing laboratories in Europe
- Experts in chemical testing and compliance – over 95 years’ experience
- Technical support and guidance if and when failures occur
- Solutions to cleanse and reduce toxic chemicals from your supply chain
- Expert advice and solutions on legislation and supply chain compliance