SABIC Europe and TNO endorse partnership to achieve leadership in REACH
November 13, 2007
SABIC Europe and TNO have formed a partnership for REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals). This partnership has been anchored in a contract, lasting until the end of 2010, and it has been confirmed in a signing ceremony today, 6th November, in Zeist, The Netherlands. SABIC will provide high quality dossiers to ECHA (European Chemicals Agency), and has chosen TNO to provide scientific and technical support concerning the registration of approximately 80 of its chemical substances under REACH.
The petrochemical products which SABIC produces on its sites in Europe as well as its imports from Saudi Arabia, are mainly ‘high volume chemicals’ which need to be addressed in the first stage of REACH. SABIC will have until 2010 to complete the huge task of preparing product dossiers for all its substances. A dedicated SABIC REACH Program Team has been formed to cover the majority of the competences that the regulation will require. However REACH also demands skilled specialists in the field of chemical safety and risk assessment.
“TNO’s experts can cover such diverse topics as chemicals regulations, dossier preparation, human and environmental toxicology but in particular exposure and risk assessment. They are also familiar with the very diverse applications and supply chains such as those of which SABIC Europe is a part. And they have a strong track record of working for the industry and authorities. As REACH is a joint effort of both stakeholders, TNO is seen as the right partner for SABIC to attend to the interests of both parties” says SABIC Europe Director Strategic Planning & Development, Kees Aartsen
“TNO is proud to partner with SABIC Europe in the registration of their petrochemicals portfolio under REACH. We see the signing of this contract with SABIC Europe as a significant step forward in achieving our goal to be one of the primary knowledge providers in the developing REACH market. We are sure that the cooperation with SABIC Europe, in the successful registration of their substances under REACH, will be a mutually beneficial experience, with both companies striving for a high quality standard,” according to Kees Ekkers, Managing Director TNO Quality of Life.
By 1st December 2008, the pre-registration of substances, the next phase of REACH, needs to be completed. SABIC is preparing to comply with REACH; it has all the processes in place to provide ECHA with high quality dossiers for all substances in the company portfolio, within the granted timeline.
“SABIC fully endorses the REACH objectives, which entirely match our QESH (Quality, Environment, Safety and Health) policy. Our key messages in relation to REACH are ‘Caring, Sharing and Preparing’. As a responsible manufacturer and importer of chemicals, SABIC cares for the safety and health of people and the environment and compliance with REACH is seen merely as a logical step. Beyond meeting today’s requirements, SABIC is also anticipating to answer the needs of future generations”, Kees Aartsen adds.
SABIC will continue to proactively inform its customers and suppliers about the consequences of REACH with regard to its products. Cooperation with co-producers will increase in the coming months through consortia and industry associations.