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Chemical solutions newsletter April 2023

28 Apr 2023

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In this edition, we discuss:


Risk management solutions for persistent chemicals

Persistence is the extent to which a chemical resists degradation in the environment. Increased awareness around issues of chemical persistence, including global plastic pollution and the presence of PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ in the environment has triggered numerous global policy initiatives.

Our environmental chemistry and toxicology experts combine their deep understanding of chemicals with regulatory insight to deliver high-calibre solutions, resilience and value for our customers.

Below we have outlined a few key resources to help you with persistence assessment as well as identifying and transitioning away from PFAS:

  • Persistence Assessment Tool (PAT)

This is the world's first software based, free-to-use tool developed by Ricardo. It has been developed to improve the assessment of chemical persistence in the environment. PAT provides a structured and clear methodology to assess persistence in line with global regulatory frameworks. Download PAT here.

We will be hosting an online training session on 21 June, 12pm BST, to provide users with background theory and hands-on training for using the PAT. You can sign up for this training here.

  • Video resource: Understanding PFAS

This video describes why PFAS are such a ‘hot topic’, the evolving regulatory landscape around them and actions you will need to consider if you manufacture, supply or use PFAS in the EU. Watch the video here.

  • Report: Overview of the proposed universal restriction proposal for PFAS

This report provides an overview of the restriction proposal including; restrictions options, derogations, its scope, timeline and most importantly, the actions you will need to consider if you manufacture, supply or use PFAS in the EU. Download the report here.

  • Horizon Scanning and Compliance Reporting Tool

This tool performs a substance inventory check and determines what your regulatory obligations are and what substances need alteration before further use, helping you future-proof your product portfolio. It provides the results in a clear, easy-to-read report. A sample report is available to download.

We offer a range of regulatory hazard and risk assessment services which includes persistence, biodegradability, ecotoxicology and REACH substance evaluation among many others. Find out more >

Meet our expert – Chris Hughes, Associate Regulatory Director leading the Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology team

Chris is an environmental scientist with over a decade of experience in regulatory compliance. Chris specialises in the environmental hazard and risk assessment of chemicals, and global regulations such as REACH and GHS, providing support to a range of private and public sector clients. 

Chris has led the PAT project and is also the research lead for the CEFIC-LRI ECO52 project. He is also the author of multiple scientific publications related to environmental chemistry. His participation in international research projects helps bring the most up-to-date and relevant knowledge to the customers and helps them maintain market access.

He works with customers, regulators, scientific and government bodies as well as academics simultaneously. His broad knowledge combined with his practical experience is what clients value most about Chris!

Learn more about Chris.

Update your REACH registration dossiers urgently!

Our recent webinar poll showed that 46% of businesses had not updated their REACH dossiers in the last year or were not even aware of the requirement to do so!

Keeping your registration dossiers up to date is a legal obligation under REACH. By 2027, ECHA aims to have screened all registration dossiers submitted by the 2018 deadline. If ECHA finds a compliance failure, it could lead to problems with your REACH registration and subsequent market access.

To help organisations comply with REACH requirements ECHA have updated their recommendations, which include new recommendations to limit animal testing and provide specific guidance on use of read-across. Read more on what these recommendations mean for businesses here.

Learn more >

Are you part of a consortia or a joint dossier registrant? You still have obligations!

The lead dossier contains information regarding classification and labelling, the study summaries for the endpoints relevant for that tonnage band, as well as any testing proposals that are being made. However, a large part of the member dossiers cannot be provided by the lead registrant, and updates provided by the consortia will not cover these points. For these parts of the dossier, each member is individually responsible for the submission of their own data.

Our REACH experts discussed this is more detail during our free webinar, watch on-demand here.

Are you signed up to the Cefic Action Plan?

Cefic does not have access to registration dossiers and all updates need to be done by individual businesses. If you are a Cefic member and have signed up to the action plan, please contact us urgently so we can help you to update your dossiers.

Ricardo experts will review your dossier to identify and fill data gaps, strengthen justifications for adaptations, and confirm that all appropriate information has been gathered, to reduce the likelihood of ECHA requesting further information.

Learn more about our services >

Poison Centre – industrial deadline and harmonised submissions

Deadlines for customer and professional use products have passed, and the remaining poison centre notification deadlines are as follows:

  • 1 January 2024 – for industrial use products
  • 1 January 2025 – for notifications which were completed via individual Member States and now need to be replaced by the harmonised portal notifications.

We offer a full poison centre notification service for companies who have an obligation to notify their hazardous mixtures and biocides.

Learn more >

Attending SETAC Europe? Come and say hello to us at Booth 59

After the phenomenal success and learning opportunities at last year's event, our team is delighted to be presenting and exhibiting at SETAC Europe again this year. This time we will be presenting 5 posters, charing a session and hosting a seminar.

One of our most notable poster and seminar will be on the PAT. We will be hosting a PAT release party at the conference on Monday, 1 May 2023, 16:00 – 18:00 in the Wicklow Meeting Room 1. If you will be at SETAC, please make sure to join us there!

Find out more >

To speak to a member of our team regarding assistance with regulatory compliance, emergency response or sustainability, please contact us today.

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