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North East businesses REACH out to NEPIC

New rules impacting the North East chemical industry were on the agenda at an event in County Durham earlier this week.

The North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) hosted a workshop at Hardwick Hall Hotel on Monday to discuss REACH: the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals regulations. These new rules which govern the manufacturing, importation and use of chemical substances are now in place across the UK and Europe and are beginning to impact on companies across the North East of England.

Dr Stan Higgins, CEO of NEPIC, said: “The 30th November is a crucial day for all businesses from all sectors of the economy. These new regulations are not just for the chemicals sector, they are for all businesses that make, use or import materials. It’s the downstream users who are of greatest concern.

“Every business in the region should be checking whether the materials they are manufacturing, importing, using or trading are impacted. They must understand what they have to do before November.”

Fiona Hall, Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for the North East of England, gave a Keynote Address. She said: “REACH should clarify some of the fog of regulation that existed for differing regimes across Europe and also complements regulation for other sectors, such as cosmetics and medicines.

“Parliament has listened to business, and I think that most of industry will now agree that the Directive is manageable, and indeed has been welcomed by much of the chemical manufacturing industry of Europe, and the rest of the world.”

The REACH rules involve deadlines that companies must adhere to in order to secure the continuity of their supply chain. For further information on REACH regulations contact Phil Hollowood, ReachReady Ambassador on 01642 442560.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .