The REACH standard is an important component to Apple Rubber’s processes and certifications. Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) — defined by the European Chemicals Agency as “substances that may have serious and often irreversible effects on human health and the environment” — must be thoroughly examined.
Let’s take a look at how Apple Rubber does it.
What is REACH?
REACH is an acronym for the European Directive dealing with Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of Chemicals used in products. The REACH directive primarily focuses on substances with potential to impact human health or the environment.
Let’s look at each issue individually:
- Registration: Companies have the responsibility of collecting information on the properties and the uses of substances that they manufacture or import at or above one ton per year.
- Evaluation: The ECHA and European Union member states evaluate the information submitted by companies to examine the quality of the registration dossiers and the testing proposals and to clarify if a given substance constitutes a risk to human health or the environment.
- Authorization: The authorization procedure aims to assure that the risks from SVHC are properly controlled and that these substances are progressively replaced by suitable alternatives.
- Restriction of Chemicals: Restrictions are a tool to protect human health and the environment from unacceptable risks posed by chemicals. Restrictions may limit or ban the manufacture, placing on the market or use of a substance.
The ECHA can take additional measures on highly dangerous substances when there is a need for complementing action at EU level.
Apple Rubber is also registered with the following industry compliance databases:
- BOMcheck.net
- IMDS Material Data System
How do we assess REACH?
As a finished goods provider, Apple Rubber is not required to register any products — but we do fulfill all SVHC reporting as requested by customers.
As new SVHC chemicals are listed, Apple Rubber reevaluates current product line to see if these potentially hazardous substances are found in our rubber compound formulas.
Apple Rubber will report if any rubber compounds have listed substances above the .1% or 1,000 ppm level—the Candidate List of HSVC assists with this.
“Substances of Very High Concern are not banned, they just need to be reported,” says John Tranquilli, Apple Rubber’s materials manager. “But even so, many customers wish to avoid SVHC completely. That’s why we must be thorough in our testing phase and in communication with our customers.”
Typically, the compounds that cause customers the greatest concern are Nitrile or BN compounds. Apple Rubber is working to phase out these types of compounds. The common processing oil DEHP is also on this list.
“We have been phasing out any low molecular weight phthalates, which are being phased out by other industries—especially medical,” Tranquilli says. “We have been conducting thorough testing to show officially that we can certify to no SVHC.”
Below is an image from the test report of the compound 27BN7AP to all 155 chemicals of the SVHC list. Click here to view the full test report.
Safety First: A Promise to our Customers
REACH aims to ensure protection to humans and the environment from risks posed by chemicals. IREACH also promotes alternative test methods, the free circulation of substances on the internal market and enhance competitiveness and innovation.
REACH is critical to all companies providing product to the EU. Without the required documentation, companies would be limited to where their product can be sold.
Although it may be a time-consuming process, Apple Rubber can assure customers proper compliance and precise information.
“Many distributors do not have resources to obtain the required information, so customers cannot be promised the required certification,” Tranquilli notes. “Since we manufacture the finished good, we can more readily provide the REACH documentations to our customers.”
If you have any questions in regards to REACH compliance or Apple Rubber’s processes, connect with us on Twitter @AppleRubber.