Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals - Essay Example

Task: Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, ization and Restriction of Chemicals Introduction REACH is an acronym for “Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals”. It is an organization established by European legislature in order to benefit the European community in several ways. As an association, it has the responsibility of ensuring that authorities register chemical substances within the EU zone. In this case, the chemical to be registered can be imports or substances manufactured locally (Leeuwen, & Vermeire 2). This regulation places more emphasis on registration for chemical substances exceeding a tone in weight. This paper discusses what REACH entails and how it affects EU by it regulations. “What does "Reach" issue deal with? What happened?” Apart from the sole of ensuring regulation of trade in chemical substances, REACH performs several duties, like safeguarding human health at all levels and the protection of the environmental too. Secondly, they inform organizations involved with chemical manufacture of the risks likely to result from their actions (Workplace Law Group 612). In addition, they monitor the movement and use of chemical substances within the EU. Lastly, they promote creativity in substance manufacturing by ensuring operations are in accordance with ethics. REACH has the strictest law ever implemented by the EU and it took them almost seven years before coming up with this complex decree. REACH ensures that corporations dealing with chemical substances exceeding a tone are registered with the European chemicals agency. Before they accent to a registration, there are certain requirements that qualify one for registration for example substances that do not pose harm to human health (Leeuwen, & Vermeire 6).Moreover, it should not be of a high concern in terms of chemical content. REACH laws also deals with prohibition of trade for substances lacking registration and certification from European chemicals agency. However, there are exempted cases for radioactive items and certain wastes. Food substances and military equipment are also exempted form certain cases. Controversy aroused from its duties when they harmonized and improved the past legislative framework. Reach as a body began to function on June 1 2007, thereafter going through a session of complete registration in 2008. The organization has approval by environmental bodies such as “Environmental management system” and OHSAS 18001 who have confirmed credibility for REACH’s activities. This body has the mandate of monitoring the supply of chemical products imported to the EU zone. They perform their duties using certain standardized criteria. REACH can review new safety requirements for suppliers before their amendment into law. They have collaborated with Syfer factory who engages in products based from chemical substances. The organization has one of the toughest laws ever used in the regulation of chemical substance use by organizations. Reach came about due to the political concern of EU member states on issues of environmental health and their relation to the economy. Therefore, they intended to come up with political solutions towards preventing further challenges from the activities of industry. As a result, the organization had its formation under article 95 of the European regulations. According to Leeuwen, & Vermeire (516), issues have emanated from its activities concerning their policies like collaborating with the European chemical agency in setting dates required for all bodies responsible to meet prior to engaging in businesses that related with toxic substances. The idea of REACH came about when changes were required in the EU chemical body. They legalized the supply of substances only by those companies that met their requirements. As a challenge, REACH had certain issues such as delays in addressing the registration process in the market. There was a concern by the public on its policy towards economic integration. The information they provided concerning hazards tended to be insufficient. “What is, was contentions and, or controversial about it?” . According to the public, their laws were controversial when they introduced regulations that hindered quick integration of the European Union. Instead, Reach intended to phase out the use of certain toxic elements in the environment as part of the long-term plans (Leeuwen, & Vermeire 14). However, this did not augur well with majority, since REACH’s intention to carry out regulation in phases, in turn affected the economy negatively. Their legislation in place was to protect the milieu wholly thus, instilling measures interfered with businesses in the wider region. REACH activities have raised anxiety since they appear controversial to many, since some of their requirements are unfeasible. They define certain substances as potentially noxious and deem them unfit for use whereas most of those chemicals are crucial for industrial processes. According to REACH, substances can enter the human system by various means therefore all measures should be in place to prevent their likeliness of so happening. The regulatory organ is of the view that present restrictions in place are weak in safeguarding human political interests. The introduction of policies at the time when the economy is unstable appears to be untimely (Leeuwen, & Vermeire 543). As a result, the provisions in the REACH’s proposals have received criticism by non-EU countries. Instead, it acts as a political strategy for gaining control of the world market by putting in place measures that discourage trade in chemical substances (Workplace Law Group 235). “Provide some analysis over its impacts, possible impact on EU decision making, the European integration process.” The presence of REACH has reduced the production and emission of harmful substance into the environment .Their new law in place has made industries incur additional costs when meeting their requirements. Their mode of animal testing does not augur well with majority of the public who deem this as the introduction of confusion to their businesses. The regulation in place has ensured integrity of practices in the domestic market for substances that tend to be toxic in their nature. Since its inception, organizations within the Union are making decisions in consultation with regulatory bodies. Their high-level protection has brought about completion that emphasizes on sustainability during production. In turn, the expectation is that their laws will influence other nonrelated industries thus protecting consumer interests. During assessment, special account for certain substance limits exposure to risks among populations. This operation helps when look into other legal requirements when dealing with toxic substances. Normally, outlined punitive measures protect the market as the case of REACH activities. People will identify a number of problems for community laws that initially deal with the manufacture of chemical substances in the European nations. These actions will also influence exporters like United States when trading in the EU territory. They will be able to minimize the disparities amid different between new laws and those already in place. Hence, parliament will use dual reasoning in enacting future laws concerning chemical substance use. According to Workplace Law Group (13), REACH laws also affect the use of chemical substances within the EU territories. In turn, this has interfered with the industries that relied on chemical substances for their processes. It also slows the integration process regarding trade. Countries may become more reluctant in joining the union due to its strict measures in place. Besides, activities such as farming using fertilizers are to ensure their practices do not hamper with the legal requirements when dealing with chemical substances. Supervision will be a requirement for chemical components in storage or those intending to be sold to foreign markets. It is also concerned with transportation of dangerous chemical substances within the EU zone. Recycling of waste and other products that can eliminate toxic from the environment will realize hindrance to their businesses. Judicial authorities will have to update themselves with the current legal requirements because of changes brought about by the creation of REACH. Modern technology shall assist in carrying out the stated regulation processes. All present information is now being share out with those affected with the current requirements more especially for consumers. Parliament will devise means of cutting costs and the time required by industries to achieve recognition. “How was/ did it impact on the public discourse / European parliament?” REACH’S policies changed the perception the public had concerning the role of the European parliament. Countries like Brazil trading with EU members have deemed these legislations restrictive to the growth of global trade. REACH in dealing with animal testing has attracted more suspicion since it restricts the use of suitable alternatives. Here they have made it mandatory for people and organizations to share information concerning animal tests in SIEFS. They prevent copying of test considering it a waste, whereas this benefit the public (Workplace Law Group 545). Moreover, they have stipulate outlines concerning how this takes place. REACH searches for missing information for tests. They also provide future guidelines for organizations dealing with animal testing. In authorization, they place substances on their list from highly sensitive materials in accordance with the requirements of the European parliament. Restriction by limiting hazardous materials to the environment encourages the parliament in harmonizing other laws that deal with chemical substance use. REACH has a series of guidance information because of its complicated nature (Workplace Law Group 613). They devised this to outline what is required when intending to adhere to their regulations. They apply scientific process in some of this information. They engage various stakeholders at this stage to avoid creating confusion on their policies. Reach creation has resulted to some issues initially unknown in the development and use of chemical substances. “What happened in the end - and what are the future implications of this issue?” In the end, there was an improvement on practices relating to handling of chemical substances. Businesses embraced professionalism when carrying out duties throughout the European market. The public at first had no interest about the activities of REACH but in the end became aware of what was required of them. It is now mandatory to register with the respective authorities dealing with regulation of chemical substances, and in this case, the body is REACH. Legislative authorities nowadays engage the public in consultation in harmonizing laws required in meeting the demands of reach (Leeuwen, & Vermeire 361). Invention and introduction of new technology for handing chemicals was introduced in several places. Though as a challenge, it has lead to cases such as people filing lawsuits concerning animal testing. Therefore, institutions have to conduct research prior to investing in businesses relating to handling chemical substances. The number of substances pollution the environment has reduced by a large margin (Workplace Law Group 213). Trading partners with the EU countries have to devise their business strategies. In future, businesses are required to introduce less toxic substances to the market. This will lead to the development of alternative substances for use in industries. In turn, the lawful requirements will be less conflicting with the practices regarding the use of chemical substances. Trade will be conducted with more concern for public interests. In addition, there will be high-level awareness among members of the public when dealing with chemical substances. Other countries like the USA may emulate these practices by introducing such regulations within their country. This will slow down the EU integration process but in the end, it will result to significant benefits. Introduction of harmonized laws in the market will take place. Different countries will consult prior to trading with other members in the larger market of chemical substances. Upon registering organizations, reach will conduct follows ups to prevent any malpractices that may lead to deviation from the initial plans. Conclusion REACH’s implementation happened in stages, which proved to be the best method of introducing legislations into practice. As an organization, it has helped in addressing underlying issues concerning the use of chemical substances. It creation purposively was to safeguard human health. The activities of these organizations directly influence the economy of countries in the European Union. In turn, there decisions have alignment with the political structure of several states within the European Union. Globally, their requirements are among the strictest regulation measures that directly affects trade within the European market. Works Cited Leeuwen, van., & Vermeire, Vermeire. Risk Assessment of Chemicals: An Introduction. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer, 2007. Print. Workplace Law Group. Health and Safety, Premises and Environment Handbook 2012. London, UK: Kogan Page, 2011. Print. Read More