SGS helps Suppliers comply with REACH for Back-to-School Products

HONG KONG, July 06, 2011 (Press-News.org) Pens, glues, crayons, erasers, pencil cases, scissors and school bags are all examples of back-to-school products. European retailers and their suppliers may be familiar with their obligations for 'articles' under REACH, but may not be too familiar with procedures for 'mixtures.'

In the European Union (EU), Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 (REACH) (http://www.reach.sgs.com/documents/cts_regulation_ec_n_1907_2006.pdf) governs substances on their own, in mixtures and contained within articles. In the context of consumer products, the general obligation to register substances on their own and in mixtures is when their annual production volumes or imported quantities are one metric ton or more per EU manufacturer or EU importer per year. Other obligations include supplying safety data sheets (SDS) and to apply for notification under classification, labeling and packaging of chemical substances and mixtures (CLP) if hazardous substances are present. For articles, the general obligations are to observe the restricted substances limits and if applicable, communicate information on Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and submit an SVHC notification.

Pen inks, glues, correction fluids, crayons and water color paints are classified as 'mixtures' under REACH. Scented articles, such as erasers, are classified as articles containing substances intended to be released, where the erasers are articles and the scented substances are intended to be released.

Manufactures and importers of back-to-school products for articles such as rulers, pencil cases and school bags have to observe another set of obligations as well as registration and safety data sheets. They are obliged to communicate the name of the SVHC (http://www.ee.sgs.com/svhc.htm) present in a product and information on the safe use of the product along the supply chain in accordance with Article 33 of REACH.

SGS has a dedicated team to offer REACH services (www.reach.sgs.com) including the preparation of dossiers for registration, safety data sheets and SVHC analysis.

For further information on our REACH services, please contact:

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Hing Wo Tsang
Senior Technical Manager, Chemical Laboratory - Hardlines

SGS Hong Kong Ltd., 5-8/F & 28/F, Metropole Square
2 On Yiu Street, Siu Lek Yuen Shatin, 999077, N.T. Hong Kong

t: +852 277 474 20

E-mail: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: http://www.reach.sgs.com

SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognised as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With 64'000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1'250 offices and laboratories around the world.

SGS Consumer Testing Services ensures the quality and safety of every kind of consumer products, from textiles, electronics and furniture to food and automotive. Our customers in these distinct manufacturing industries rely on our inspection and testing capabilities and laboratories to help them comply with the regulatory requirements governing their products, as well as to ensure the integrity of the inputs received from their suppliers.
For more information, please visit: http://www.sgs.com/cts