Preparation for inspection under REACH

The European Chemicals Agency is charged with managing REACH across the EU, but each member state (MS) has legislated for enforcement and penalties. It is important to understand who is responsible for what and how enforcement is coordinated across all MS.

Roles and responsibilities of regulators:
• ECHA
• MSCA (Member State Competent Authority)
• Customs
• MS variations.

Coordination between regulators:
• The Forum
• MSCA reporting
• Joint enforcement projects.

Inspection targets and strategies

Penalties and prosecutions

Inspections may be initiated for a range of reasons and understanding the reasons helps provide a focus for the preparation.

This presentation will cover: 

• Triggers for inspection
• Focus of inspections
• Regional and industrial sector variations
• Non-regulatory inspections.

Inspectors may look at any aspect of the regulation they choose, but the focus is likely to be driven by company activity, its track record and aspects most likely to impact on safe chemical use.

Working in groups, attendees are invited to think about how the role of the company and its activities will drive the focus of a possible inspection, and how the company should prepare.

Drawing on our experience helping companies with actual inspections, case studies will also be presented and discussed.

Good preparation is the key to a successful inspection and this starts with a commitment to compliance and an ability to demonstrate that commitment.

Attendees will gain the understanding and tools they need in order to:
• Implement a robust compliance policy.
• Put together checklists to prepare for an inspection.
• Gather documentation to support the inspection on the day.

Sandra Meijer

Principal, Product Stewardship, Yordas Group (formerly The REACH Centre)