We currently face the challenge of implementing the European chemical regulation
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and the United Nations global labeling guideline
GHS (Globally Harmonized System)
Since the EU regulation known as REACH came into force on June 1, 2007, the responsibility for testing the safety of chemicals lies with the manufacturers and importers, and no longer with the national authorities. The goal of REACH is to further improve safety during the use of chemicals. All substances produced in, or imported to, the European Union in quantities of one metric ton or more per year must be registered with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
GHS is a globally harmonized system of classification, labeling and packaging of chemicals. GHS aims to harmonize the various classification and labeling systems that exist worldwide. In the EU, GHS entered into force on effect in January 2009. GHS provides the first ever globally uniform basis for assessing hazardous properties. It thus creates the foundation for a globally high level of protection for the environment as well as for people’s health and safety.
By the first registration deadline on December 1, 2010, Merck had registered around 100 substances under REACH. Apart from the required substances in the initial registration phase, we also registered the ones with a later deadline. In addition, around 4,200 substances have been reclassified and relabeled under GHS and provided with new safety data sheets in line with the amendment of Annex II of REACH. At the beginning of 2011, we reported all imported and self-manufactured substances in the Classification and Labelling Inventory of the European Chemicals agency ECHA.
Since 2010, our customers have been able to clearly find all information on the uses of our products on our
Chemicals portal.
In 2010, Merck developed the ScIDeEx® program based on the ECETOC TRA2 assessment tool recognized by the ECHA. With ScIDeEx® , users can calculate whether the use of a chemical can be assessed as safe in terms of exposure. This is important if their workplace conditions deviate from the exposure scenario of the safety data sheet. We will make this program publicly available on the Merck Chemicals portal in 2011.
