During the first week of operations companies have actively started to use the REACH-IT portal for making company sign-ups and for submitting pre-registrations. They have also sent notifications, inquiries and registrations using the temporary procedures. Almost 5,000 files were received.

The numbers until this morning are:

REACH-IT

• Company sign-ups: 1,003
• Pre-registrations: 4,786

Temporary Procedure submissions

• PPORD Notifications: 155
• Inquiries: 19
• Registrations: 25

The European Commission has informed ECHA that there may be substances that were lawfully on the market before 1st June 2008 but which do not qualify for phase-in status under REACH. In addition, ECHA has been contacted, in particular, by importers of certain cosmetic products containing such substances. Therefore, ECHA invites companies manufacturing or importing these substances (on their own, in preparations or in articles in a quantity above 1 tonne/year) to contact ECHA by making a company sign-up, followed by an inquiry. In the light of the examination of the details, further information will be provided to the companies concerned.

Practical instructions on how to perform a company sign-up and an inquiry are available in the REACH-IT section of the ECHA website.

The mission of the European Chemicals Agency

The mission of the European Chemicals Agency is to:

• Manage and carry out technical, scientific and administrative aspects of REACH.
• Ensure consistency at Community level in relation to these aspects.
• Provide the Member States and the institutions of the Community with the best possible scientific and technical advice on questions relating to chemicals which fall under REACH.
• Manage IT based guidance documents, tools and data bases.
• Support national helpdesk and run a helpdesk for registrants.
• Make information on chemicals publicly accessible.