REACH and Recovered Waste Substances

Ahead of the REACH qualifying substances pre-registration deadline on 1st December 2008, Defra has recognised that there are increasing levels of concern within the waste recovery sector about the possible impact of REACH on their operations.

The European Commission has produced some draft guidance on the interaction of REACH and recovered waste substances, which was the subject of a consultation in June/July of 2008, and which is in the process of being finalised and will be published in due course.

The information found at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/chemicals/reach/pdf/reach-recovered-waste-guidance.pdf seeks to distil the principal impacts of REACH on the waste recovery sector, and provide some clarification and guidance on these. The aim is to help inform decisions by waste recovery businesses about actions that may need to be taken to comply with REACH requirements. For further advice and technical help with the application of REACH obligations, contact the UK REACH Competent Authority's national Helpdesk either by calling 0845 408 9575, contact [email protected], or visit www.hse.gov.uk/reach/.