LATEST UPDATE ON SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern):

The European Union's new regulation (1907/2006EC) covering the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) came into force on 1 June 2007 and is managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) located in Helsinki, Finland.

REACH covers the manufacture, importation, placing on the market and use of chemical "substances" as defined under the regulation.

Arkema has always been committed to the regulatory compliance and product stewardship of its CRAYVALLAC range of additives under all of the preceding  European directives - and is therefore well placed to offer all of its customers (both European based companies or those wishing to import into the EU) the comfort that the CRAYVALLAC range will remain fully compliant under REACH.

For companies who have previously marketed new substances (substances not listed on the EINECS inventory or  which are not "No-Longer Polymers") in the European Union without complying with the  European directive regarding dangerous substances (67/548/EC), they now find themselves in a more difficult position and must withdraw from the European market until the Direct Registration of their substance has been made and all testing completed - a process that will  take a number of years to complete depending on the tonnage band concerned.

Pre-registration of substances, under REACH,  is only permitted for those companies that can prove the phase-in status of their substances.   Pre-registration will close on the 30 November 2008, after this date companies which are accepted as being compliant in the system will need to further comply and complete their dossiers under REACH which will be time dependent on the volume bands for each specific substance.  In most cases this will  necessitate further work and testing of substances.

Arkema's regulatory team has dedicated people to work on REACH and the regulatory compliance of our product portfolio  - as well as assisting our customers who need help or advice.  For further information regarding REACH and the Crayvallac product range please contact sue.rimmer@arkema.com


Sébastien Taillemite - Business Director
  sebastien.taillemite@arkema.com