The object of REACH is to gather more knowledge of more substances and limit the use of harmful substances.  Producers and importers now have a greater responsibility to prove that substances are not hazardous; a responsibility that previously rested with the government.

Most industrial companies and sectors in Norway are affected by REACH, either as producers, importers, or as downstream users of chemical products.  Small and medium sized companies will face particularly great challenges.

Preparations for REACH Should Already Be in Action!

As early as 2005, Mintra collaborated with the Federation of Norwegian Industries to develop an introductory course for REACH.  The object of the course is to provide general training for REACH, while also serving as a tool for those responsible for mapping out action plans in their own companies.  The course also illustrates how REACH affects organisations and the practical changes it will entail.

This course has been translated into Danish and Swedish, through a collaboration with the Swedish Plastics and Chemicals Federation and the Confederation of Danish Industries, and will also be translated into other European languages in the near future.

“The Swedish Plastics and Chemicals Federation, the Confederation of Danish Industries and the Federation of Norwegian Industries have coursed several hundred participants with this introductory course, in their respective countries.  In addition, the Federation of Norwegian Industries, in collaboration with the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT), has run internal courses for SFT and the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority.  They used a model combining workshops and the web-based course.  Feedback has been positive – this combination ensures that all participants get up-to-date during the workshops, while also providing the opportunity to use the online course for review.” 

Torstein Tærum
Consultant, Industriskolen (Industry School)

Different Roles have Different Responsibilities!

Mintra and the Federation of Norwegian Industries are continuing their collaboration and have joined forces with the Swedish Plastics and Chemicals Federation and the Confederation of Danish Industries to develop an in-depth course on REACH.  The modules will be specially designed for sepcific roles and provide concrete guidance in how an organisation can fulfill its obligations.

The Registration course is aimed at chemical producers and importers.  The coruse addresses substance identification, using Navigator and IUCLUD 5, pre-registration, sharing data, and information requirments.

The course, Communcation along the Supply Chain, is aimed at all responsible parties along the supply chain, for example, downstream users, producers, and importers.  The course addresses roles and responsibilities, methods for CSA/CSR exposure scenarios, as well as documentation and communication up and down the supply chain.
 
More in-depth courses will be developed in 2008/2009.  All courses are available at Industriskolen (www.industriskolen.no).

Article by: Ellen Berg, Mintra as