ECEAE welcomes improvement to REACH reporting system

The ECEAE has welcomed improvements to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) computer system for the registration of chemical substances under the REACH programme.

This follows a submission by the ECEAE to the ECHA. In the submission, we commented that, even for tests that have valid in vitro alternatives, such as skin and eye irritation tests, there is no field in the registration form for companies to submit this information. This is despite the fact that such alternative tests, if available, are now required under EU law. Following media attention in the industry newsletter, Chemical Watch, officials from the ECHA have confirmed that “ECHA has already provided to include these comments to the list of improvements for the next version of IUCLID”.

The ECEAE is very pleased that ECHA is going to update the system to include these alternatives. However, we are disappointed by the length of time it has taken. Some of the in vitro alternatives were validated and approved by EU authorities in 2009.

Find out more about REACH.