REACH in brief
EACH (Registration Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) is one of the most extensive laws of the European Union and concerns chemicals. It replaces more than 30 different laws and came into force the 1st of June 2007 and should be fully implemented by 2018. It includes all chemical substances produced in or imported to the European Union. The aim of REACH is to protect humans and the environment and to get more information about chemicals used within the European Union.
These chemical substances shall be registered by the industry itself and then evaluated and finally approved by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Billerud and REACH
Billerud is working intensively with the implementation of REACH and are closely looking into any impacts that this new legislation will have on our business.
Billerud as a company can have three different tasks within REACH:
- Manufacturer of chemical substances where some are put one the market while others are used within the different mills (for example Tall oil, liquors). Preparatory works for registration of these substances are now taking place.
- Importer of chemicals into the EU.
- Downstream User, which means that we buy chemicals and use them in our production. We are mainly Downstream Users which make our suppliers responsible for the registration of the chemicals supplied to Billerud.
Cellulose pulp is exempted from registration in REACH.
All our paper products are classified as articles and are therefore not subject to registration as such according to REACH.
We do not use any of the substances on the candidate list for SVHC-substances (Substances of Very High Concern) in our products.
The Beetham Mill is "Downstream Users" of chemicals only.