BASF ready for REACH

BASF Self Commitment - Product Safety 2015 defines uniform global product safety standards

04-Jun-2007

When the new EU chemicals directive (REACH) entered into force (June 1, 2007), BASF was prepared: "With its networked structure and extensive product portfolio, BASF is one of the companies most heavily affected by REACH. We are well aware of the changes it will bring, which prompted us to start preparing for REACH some three years ago," said Ernst Schwanhold, head of the BASF Aktiengesellschaft Center of Competence for the Environment, Safety and Energy. BASF will register approximately 2,500 chemical entities under the terms of REACH. The company expects annual costs of EUR50 million until completion of implementation in 2018.

The new chemicals directive sets forth terms for the registration, evaluation and authorization of chemicals in the European Union (EU). "Our extensive preparations for REACH involved developing efficient structures and processes for the whole of BASF," said Dr. Martin Kayser, head of Central Product Safety and Toxicology at BASF Aktiengesellschaft and the man in charge of implementing REACH. A REACH Implementation Team ensures among other things that all products of the various operating divisions are included in the REACH system. In addition, the product safety experts developed a central database for BASF: "The REACH Tracking System contains information on thousands of chemical entities, user details, and hazard assessments," Kayser explained.

The voluntary BASF Self Commitment - Product Safety 2015 takes BASF a step further: "Our responsibility for ensuring that our products are safe when used responsibly and properly and do not pose a hazard to people or the environment applies not just in Europe, but throughout the world," said Schwanhold. "Therefore, BASF set itself the goal of conducting - by 2015 - a review and risk evaluation of all chemicals manufactured or sold by the BASF Group worldwide in quantities exceeding one metric ton per year. This review is based on REACH specifications."

Many small and medium-sized enterprises have been unable to build up such extensive REACH expertise. "We are therefore providing a REACH consulting service for manufacturers, users and importers showing them how best to prepare for the new EU chemicals legislation. We are now offering this service as part of our Success sustainability service," said Dr. Andreas Kicherer, head of the BASF Success team. The range of REACH services on offer extends from status quo analysis, employee training, and preregistration, to all the elements involved in registration and authorization.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/65043/basf-ready-for-reach.html