REACH

The REACH Regulation lays down the rules for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of Chemical substances in the EU. It entered into force in June 2007 with a first registration deadline by 1 December 2010. General information on REACH and the ceramic industry can be found on the Cerame-Unie REACH webpage.

Early 2007, PRE set up a REACH Working Group (WG) in order to assist refractory companies with the implementation of the REACH Regulation. Regular meetings were held in Brussels and detailed discussions took place to develop a common understanding and to improve the communication throughout the supply chain. In 2008, PRE has co-financed an online substance inventory database for refractory substances in which almost 50 companies have participated. In 2009 and 2010, discussions have focused on the registration dossiers and exposure scenarios and PRE developed a generic use description for the refractory industry. The PRE REACH WG also tackles REACH related legislation such as the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation.

The Technical Implications of REACH in the refractories industry were presented in Madrid at the REACH Seminar, organised in conjunction with the 50th annual congress of the Spanish Ceramic and Glass society on 26 October 2010.

Refractory Ceramic Fibres (RCF)

In August 2009, certain types of RCF have been proposed to be added to the REACH Candidate list of Substances of Very High Concern for Authorisation. In August 2011, two additional types of RCF were proposed. On both occasions PRE has submitted detailed comments during the public consultation. For the reasons expressed in the Fact and Consequences document, PRE is of the firm opinion that RCF should not be prioritised for authorisation. Further information can be obtained from the PRE secretariat or on the website of ECFIA, representing the High Temperature Insulation Wool industry.

Classification and labelling of silica monolithics

The CLP Regulation (EC 1272/2008) on classification, labelling and packaging, entered into force on 20 January 2009. It replaces the Dangerous Substances Directive (67/548/EEC) and the Dangerous Preparations Directive (1999/45/EC). It introduces new classification criteria, hazard symbols and labelling phrases.

A series of meetings on Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) and internal and external measurements of the level of RCS in the range of products have been organised in 2010-2011 by a number of PRE member companies. These measurements resulted in a classification and labelling as STOT RE 2 (Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Repeated Exposure, Category 2).

Classification and labelling changes for mixtures need to be introduced no later than 1 June 2015. Some companies may voluntarily choose to introduce these changes earlier if they wish. Further information can be found in the attached PRE position.