CPA urges chemical policy rethink

The Construction Products Association (CPA) has urged the European Commission for a rethink of the REACH system (registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals) proposed in its consultation on Chemicals Policy.

Concern is growing prior to a draft Regulation expected this October which could lead to a number of well established construction products being defined as a 'chemical' substance.

Rita Singh, CPA policy development executive said: "Our main concern rests with the scope of the system, which due to the ambiguity in its definition, will incorporate a host of 'non-chemical' substances as the proposal currently stands." 

Singh continued: "If the proposal isn't revised, manufacturers may have to undertake a series of extensive assessments of their products, in addition to those already required within the national regulation. They will also be required to produce Chemical Safety Reports for downstream users which would duplicate much of the information already produced for the Material Safety Data Sheets.

"The system, which is proposed on a phased quantity-based rather than risk-based approach for registering chemicals would be administratively cumbersome, expensive and cause a huge competitive disadvantage to companies affected by this Policy in the global market," she added.

The REACH system has been proposed to overhaul and modernise the EU chemicals regulatory system and increase protection of human health and environment within a "competitive and innovative chemicals industry".