Conference covers EU chemicals policy

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 1, 2006

Rapra Technology's first International Conference on REACH will take place from 17th to 19th April 2007 at the Brussels Marriott Hotel.

Rapra Technology's first International Conference on REACH will take place from 17th to 19th April 2007 at the Brussels Marriott Hotel.

The EU's flagship chemicals policy will affect not only the chemical industry but all downstream sectors involved with manufacturing and trading products containing chemicals.

Its impact promises to be widespread and all-consuming.

This timely conference has been designed to address the key questions and misconceptions that surround REACH so that whether you're an importer, distributor, formulator or downstream user you know what you're up against.

Each member of the supply chain will need to invest valuable time and resources to ensure they have in place the necessary technical and management structures to conform.

But with so many of the finer details of REACH still to be determined, what can you do now to prepare for REACH?.

Will we have the resources to handle REACH?.

How will REACH impact the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry?.

Can we solve the disproportionate burden on SMEs?.

Will REACH prove a barrier to innovation?.

What testing is required and how can test data be pooled and shared?.

The first day of the conference will open with presentations on the legal implications of REACH and will offer practical guidance on, amongst other things, how to develop strategies for complex registrations involving speciality chemicals and the implications for substitution.

There will follow a series of papers on the influence of REACH on the polymer sector, including representations from a coating supplier, a PVC manufacturer and user and an additives producer.

The day concludes with an evening drinks reception sponsored by legal firm Keller and Heckman, where delegates can discuss the day's proceedings and continue networking in a more relaxed setting.

Day two includes a series of case studies from companies within the chemicals supply chain who will demonstrate the steps they are taking to meet market expectations and achieve REACH compliance.

The subsequent presentations will tackle the financial implications of REACH implementation including ways to gauge costs and the role of consortium management and other methods to reduce costs.

The final sessions will cover testing requirements under REACH and the effective collection and sharing of chemical data with case studies highlighting specific approaches that have been taken to prepare for REACH.

Of course REACH is a broad subject and there are many intricacies that cannot be addressed within the course of a conference.

For this reason, Rapra Technology is also running a day of post conference workshops on Thursday 19th April to help companies deal with some of the more in depth areas in a more informal and interactive setting.

Each of the four half day sessions will use a combination of presentations, group work, scenario planning and case studies to help develop the tools companies need to implement REACH cost effectively.