Do you know what your legal obligations are under REACH and the EU Biocide Products Regulations?
An awareness seminar set to take place in November is being run by FIRA’s experts with the aim to assist the manufacturers, importers and supplier of furniture products understand and meet their legal obligations and responsibilities when importing and selling products incorporating hazardous chemicals or biocides.
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is a system of regulations controlling chemicals in the European Union (EU). Implemented into EU law in June 1997, it transfers responsibility for the safe use of chemicals from governments to industry and, therefore, affects the entire furniture supply chain including manufacturers, importers and their customers.
Hazardous chemicals are classified as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and their use is subject to authorisation and, ultimately, restrictions. Several substances in the furniture industry are facing restriction including flame retardants, dyes and colourants and plasticisers. REACH is being implemented in several transitional phases due to be completed in 2018.
Implemented into EU law in June 1997, it transfers responsibility for the safe use of chemicals from governments to industry and, therefore, affects the entire furniture supply chain including manufacturers, importers and their customers. Hazardous chemicals are classified as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and their use is subject to authorisation and, ultimately, restrictions.
Several substances in the furniture industry are facing restriction including flame retardants, dyes and colourants and plasticisers. REACH is being implemented in several transitional phases due to be completed in 2018.
Linked to REACH, the EU Biocides Regulations (EU BPR) were implemented in September 2013 (528/2012) and revoked the previous Biocidal Products Directive (98/8/EEC) across Europe. These new Regulations incorporate, for the first time, the use phase of biocidal products as well as articles that have been treated with biocides such as a wooden bench painted with wood preservative.
EU BPR prohibits placing a treated article on the market unless all active substances in the biocidal product it was treated with/incorporates are approved for relevant product type and use under EU BPR, and any specified conditions or restrictions of relating to the active substances are met. Additionally from 1st September 2015, a biocidal product cannot be placed on the market in the EU unless either the substance supplier or product supplier are included on the Article 95 list.
There are 22 substance types, divided into four categories; disinfectants and general biocides, preservatives (wood, leather, textiles), pest controls (insecticides) and other biocidal products e.g. anti-fouling products.
There are added requirements for biocidal products including equipment for treated articles needing to be clearly labelled by their manufacturer or distributor. Finally, anyone supplying treated articles on the market must provide, when requested, information on the biocidal treatment of the treated article within 45 days.
To help the industry fully understand and comply with REACH and EU BPR, FIRA’s experts will be holding a one day seminar. This event will aim to assist the manufacturers, importers and supplier of furniture products understand and meet their legal obligations and responsibilities when importing and selling products incorporating hazardous chemicals or biocides.
This one day seminar will be held at FIRA, Stevenage on Thursday 5th November between 10am and 4pm (lunch and refreshments will be provided).
The event is aimed at furniture suppliers and manufacturers, importers, compliance managers and environmental staff as well as procurement staff. The cost for the day will be £100.00+VAT for FIRA members and £150.00+VAT for non-FIRA members. Please note that places are limited to 30 attendees and are on a first come first served basis.
For further information, contact Dr Asli Tamer Vestlund.
T 01438 777 700
[email protected]
www.fira.co.uk
