The regulatory framework for chemicals, named REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals), is the result of EU chemical policy discussions spanning several years. REACH covers the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals. The EU Commission's goal is protecting people and the environment while enhancing the competitiveness and innovative strength of European industry. For producers, importers and users, this means that chemicals can't be marketed without the corresponding data. As per the schedule of deadlines and the requirements (staggered by volume produced/imported), producers and importers must evaluate the risks associated with each substance, develop suitable measures for ensuring its safe use and inform their customers. High-risk substances will undergo a rigorous authorization procedure. Some 30,000 existing substances already on the European market will have to be registered with the new Helsinki-based European Chemicals Agency. This agency will make non-confidential data about substances and their risks available via its internet database. Consumers now have the right to find out whether products contain substances that give serious cause for concern.

WACKER has been heavily involved with the REACH regulation ever since the EU Commission issued its white paper on chemicals policy in 2001. We have carefully monitored developments in European chemicals legislation, and helped assure a workable set of requirements. While the REACH legislation was being developed in Brussels, we analyzed what effect this legislation would have on our company and products, and implemented the necessary internal changes. These changes are based on recommendations of the chemical industry associations, adapted to WACKER's organizational structures.

At WACKER, we naturally view compliance with the new EU legislation as an integral part of our comprehensive risk management policy and our preventative approach to protecting the environment and ensuring public safety. As a first step, we will pre-register all affected substances. We will register every substance we produce in, or import to, Europe as soon as required. Everything we do will be in compliance with the deadlines and requirements established for the transition period (2010 to 2018). This has an indirect impact on polymers, although polymers are exempt from registration and evaluation. However, registration applies to monomers and all other chemically bound substances if the polymer consists of 2 % (w/w) or more of such monomers or substances.

REACH demands close communication between producers, importers and users with regard to a substance's use to ensure that all are aware of any potential risks and possibilities of exposure (for humans and the environment), as well as the proper measures for protecting humans and the environment. If produced or imported in quantities of over 10 metric tons per year, a substance's safety must be carefully analyzed in accordance with Annex I of the REACH legislation. An assessment of possible exposure and a risk analysis must be performed for all hazardous substances.

The use of a questionnaire to share information about a substance's use and risks of exposure only makes sense if there are suitable online tools are available to ensure an effective means of collecting and using the data. If these tools are not available, we will wait until the European Chemicals Agency has developed the technical guidance documents. This will help avoid unnecessary duplication of work. In addition, we are in close contact with our suppliers in order to comply with REACH provisions.

Information on risks posed through the use of our products (if these contain hazardous substances) will be explained in the material safety data sheets. To support a wide range of applications for our products, the description of the applications and risks will be divided into categories covering the various individual applications and exposure scenarios. If you, as a user, have a special application not covered on the sheet, you have the choice of forwarding us this information within a year or developing your own material safety data sheet within six months.