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The EEF is hopeful that a 12-month transitional period will be granted for companies that use hazardous chemicals due to be banned by the new Reach legislation in Europe next month.
Most engineering firms that use hazardous chemicals in their manufacturing processes are not responsible for registering the substances with the newly formed European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
But these firms could face severe disruption to their supply chains if a chemical they use is not registered.
After 30 November, if a substance covered by the first phase of Reach has not been registered by its importer or producer, it will be illegal to sell.
Firms in sectors such as aerospace, automotive and electronics may be unaware that a chemical they use has not been registered, warned Kevin Considine, senior climate and environment policy adviser for the EEF.
That could cause production to be disrupted because they would not be allowed to use unregistered substances.
According to the ECHA, only 2,700 substances out of the estimated 5,500 that need to be registered by 30 November have been.
Considine said: “This is where the uncertainty lies. Downstream users, through no fault of their own, could be facing disruption to their supply chains.
“It’s not a delay – we are asking for downstream users who may be subject to substances being withdrawn from the market without notice to be allowed time to seek an alternative supplier, or make arrangements to register if they need to import the substance themselves while continuing to manufacture.”
The EEF and other industry groups representing the chemicals, aerospace and automotive sectors, have been lobbying the government and the European Commission for the 12-month transitional period, which can be granted under the existing Reach legislation.
Last month the EEF asked Caroline Spelman, secretary of state for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to support its campaign.
“The government has recognised our concerns and the European Commission seems to be responsive,” said Considine.
Health and safety
The Regulation, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals regulations replaced 40 pieces of existing legislation across Europe for regulating chemicals and their use by industry. The aim of Reach is to better protect human health and the environment and to make companies take more responsibility for the chemicals they use.
The European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki administers Reach and has created a central database of substances. Manufacturers and importers of chemicals on the database must register so that the agency can authorise the chemicals’ use. Anyone who uses more than 1,000 tonnes of a substance per year, or uses more than 1 tonne a year of a substance that is carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic, must register this year.