ECHA has already launched phases 1, 2 and 3 of their seven steps towards successful registration. This included advice on getting to know the chemicals manufactured or imported by companies, finding other registrants of the same substance, and provide advice on data sharing for registrants that are jointly registering the same substance.

For organisations due to register by the 2018 deadline, ECHA will provide information on their REACH 2018 webpages. This information will outline how to proceed when the potential registrant must join an existing data-sharing forum (i.e. the substance is already registered, and how to proceed if the potential registrant must set up the data sharing forum i.e. the substance is not yet registered).

Co-operation with other registrants in the data sharing-forum means agreeing on practical ways of working together, sharing available scientific data and the costs associated with preparing the joint registration dossier. It also will advise on deciding how to fill data gaps before preparing and submitting a joint registration dossier.

The HSA now urges all chemical companies to check their registration duties under REACH and if they intend to register by 2018, to start their preparations now. Any substance that needs a registration by May 2018 cannot be placed on the market after that date unless the registration is in place.

Companies seeking advice on meeting the registration deadline should contact the HSA Chemicals Helpdesk on 1890-289-389 or email chemicals@hsa.ie.