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he European Union Regulation on Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) entered into force on 1 June 2007. On the same day, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) was established in Helsinki to manage the REACH process. The agency's presence is quickly transforming Helsinki into an important European chemicals hub. REACH covers all chemical substances manufactured in or imported to the EU in quantities of one tonne or more per year. It requires manufacturers and importers of chemical substances to obtain information on the physicochemical, health and environmental properties of their substances, and to use it to determine how they can be used safely. "Each manufacturer and importer must submit a registration dossier documenting the data and assessments, and the users of dangerous chemicals will be obliged to ensure the safe use of those chemicals through risk management measures," says Geert Dancet, Executive Director of ECHA. T "The objectives of REACH are to improve the health of citizens and protect the environment, while maintaining the competitiveness of industry." prove the health of our citizens and protect the environment from harmful chemicals, while maintaining and enhancing the competitiveness of industry. For the European Community all aspects health, environmental protection and safety as well as the functioning of our economy are very important," feels Dancet. Helsinki Chemicals Forum in May 2009 The first global Helsinki Chemicals Forum will take place on 27 29 May 2009 at the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre. It is slated to be the Davos Summit of the chemical industries. Also contributing to the arrangements of this event is the Greater Helsinki Promotion, the international business promotion agency for the Helsinki region. A demanding package As the most comprehensive piece of legislation on chemicals ever introduced, REACH changes dramatically the way chemicals are regulated in Europe. This presents a major challenge for the chemical industry in the EU. REACH places greater responsibility on industry to manage and reduce the risks of chemicals and provide appropriate safety information. The onus is now on companies and not authorities on what data is required and how to identify the measures needed to manage the risks of chemical substances. "REACH is a demanding package. Striving to meet the new REACH registration requirements is a big effort especially for small and medium-sized enterprises," says Hannu Vornamo, Director General of the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland. First evaluation decisions in Substances suspected to pose a risk to health or the environment will be selected for evaluation, which allows regulatory authorities to determine if further testing is needed and to assess whether the information provided by industry complies with the requirements. According to Dancet, the first evaluation decisions are expected to be made in 2009. Substances of very high concern, such as carcinogens and mutagens, are subject to an authorisation procedure. Here, companies applying for authorisation need to show that the risks posed by those substances are adequately controlled or that the benefits outweigh the risks and there are no suitable alternatives. "The aim is to give industries the incentive to progressively substitute these substances with safer alternatives," Dancet points out. He reminds that the use of any substance found to be too risky to health or the environment may be restricted or banned altogether. This way, restrictions act as the safety net in the REACH system. "The objectives of REACH are to imcated near ECHA, the Helsinki REACH Centre is well positioned to bridge the gap between the Agency and the non-EU industry associations, who are invited to become members, either by opening a subsidiary in Helsinki or becoming an overseas member. "We are a platform connecting overseas actors who need help in REACH implementation with our pool of experts and our contacts in ECHA. Besides nonEU industry associations, we bring together industry experts and service providers from various fields, such as scientists, legal experts, IT professionals, consultants and trainers from our member organisations," says Riku Rinta-Jouppi, Programme Director of HRC. Setting up an office in Helsinki Helsinki, the hometown of ECHA, is an obvious location to set up a subsidiary, as many issues and problems are best solved in direct contact with the Agency. HRC provides start-up services for non-EU associations setting up an office in Helsinki, and HBSP provides office space and housing for their personnel. "While emphasising the benefits of having a presence in Helsinki, HRC also wants to provide help from a distance. We are launching a new web portal featuring an e-learning space with online lessons, webinars and easy access to guidance in non-EU languages," RintaJouppi adds. Help for non-EU industry associations For non-EU manufacturers wishing to export their chemicals to the EU, the challenges involved in REACH compliance are even bigger. Luckily help is available for unlocking the door to compliance. Helsinki REACH Centre (HRC) is a collaboration network programme run by the cities in Finland's capital region that functions under the umbrella of the Helsinki Business and Science Park (HBSP). LoFOCUS 33
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