Adhesives Mag logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Adhesives Mag logo
  • NEW PRODUCTS
  • NEWS
    • Adhesives & Sealants Headlines
    • Mergers/Acquisitions
    • Events Calendar
    • Market Trends
  • TOPICS
    • Finished Adhesives and Sealants
    • Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs)
    • Coatings
    • Raw Materials and Chemicals
    • Materials Handling/Processing
    • Meter/Mix/Dispense
    • Curing
    • Testing/Quality Control
    • Packaging of Adhesives & Sealants
    • Converting/Packaging
    • Composites
    • Sustainability
  • COLUMNS
    • European Perspectives
    • Strategic Solutions
    • Supply Chain Strategies
    • Tape Talk
  • TOP 20
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • eBooks
  • EXPLORE
    • Adhesives in Action
    • Blog
    • ASI Store
    • Industry Links
    • Market Research
    • Classifieds
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Global Adhesives & Sealants Directory
    • Raw Materials, Chemicals, Polymers and Additives Handbook
    • Equipment Handbook
    • Distributor Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • ADVERTISE
      • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • CONTACT
  • SIGN UP!
Adhesives and Sealants TopicsColumnsRaw Materials and ChemicalsEuropean Perspectives

European Perspectives

Defining a System for the Notification of Polymers

A system for the notification of polymers should be defined in the event of a change in their treatment under REACH.

By Isabelle Alenus
European Perspectives
March 3, 2022

At present, polymers do not have to be registered under Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). Nevertheless, a possible change in the treatment of polymers is envisioned in Article 138(2) of REACH, which may result in polymers being included in the registration requirements. 

In addition to the registration of polymers, another important issue that of their notification. The European Commission may ask industry to give notification regarding information concerning certain polymers. Should this happen, notification would apply not just to polymers that need to be registered but also, quite likely, to all polymers in the marketplace. Currently, REACH requires information only for substances that are registered. A system for the notification of polymers should therefore be defined.

Notification Considerations

A system for the notification of polymers should be reasonable, safe, and efficient and should be about the control of data. According to the Wood-PFA project, authorized by the commission to determine which polymers should be registered, about 200,000 polymers are on the market in Europe. Notification of polymers, then, could become a formidable task: For every one of these 200,000 polymers, one legal entity or more than one such entity would require notification. Control of data, therefore, is critical.

As regards notification of polymers, then, data first needs to be concise. This means that data must be confined to a data set comprising the following:

  1. The identification of the manufacturer or importer
  2. The CAS number if it is available
  3. The name of the chemical
  4. The tonnage band

There might be requirements for additional data, but this data should not be included in the notification data set. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), moreover, should consider the specified data set as confidential business information not to be made available to the public.  

In addition to being concise, the generation of data should not be required. Analytical or test data, for instance, ought not to be included in notification. If there is a request for notification data, too much unanalyzed, raw data will be submitted to ECHA. In order for data collection to be justified, data submitted in notification would have to be processed and analyzed, an enterprise that would tax the resources of ECHA considerably. Furthermore, data generated for notification including polymers not needing to be registered (e.g., polymers of low concern (PLCs) and polymeric precursors), might subsequently go unused.

In other words, data submitted in notification should be useful, as data generation per se does not help protect human health and the environment, and might put an administrative burden on polymer manufacturers and ECHA. The goal is to have a balance between human health and the well-being of the environment on the one hand, and business innovation and growth on the other.


More information on Polymers Requiring Registration (PRR) is available via www.feica.eu. FEICA’s positions regarding the registration and notification of polymers is available in a leaflet, published in seven languages, that is available via www.feica.eu/information-center/latest-news/notification-of-polymers. 

KEYWORDS: Regulation, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation/legislation resins and base polymers

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Isabelle

Isabelle Alenus is Senior Communications Manager for FEICA, the European Association of the Adhesive & Sealant Industry.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • mouse in hole

    Using Foam Sealants for Pest Prevention

    According to the National Pest Management Association,...
    Adhesives and Sealants Topics
    By: Kevin Corcoran
  • linked network nodes

    Using the Power of AI for Adhesive and Sealant Formulation

    With the help of software solutions, adhesive formulators...
    Finished Adhesives and Sealants
    By: Karen Parker
  • top20-hero.jpg

    2024 ASI Top 20: Leading Global Manufacturers of Adhesives and Sealants

    ASI's annual ranking of the top 20 global adhesive and...
    Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs)
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Issues
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

Picture of three men and one woman cutting a ribbon

H.B. Fuller Opens Adhesives and Sealants Facility in UAE

Picture of Noelle Sieradzki

Mactac Announces Changes to Leadership Team

Aerial view of Bostik manufacturing facility

Bostik Invests in Added Capacity at Massachusetts Manufacturing Plant

ASI Top 20 website

Events

January 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Structural Adhesives: Properties, Characterization and Applications

Structural Adhesives: Properties, Characterization and Applications

See More Products

ASI CASE EBOOK

Related Articles

  • Photo of Isabelle Alenus

    The Safe Use of Diisocyanates

    See More
  • red tape

    Afera Joins in Call to European Commission for Postponement of SCIP Database Notification Deadline

    See More
  • Rusted car in junkyard stripped down to the frame

    Adhesives in the Regulation of End-of-Life Vehicles

    See More

Related Directories

  • FEICA

    FEICA is the voice of the European adhesive and sealant industry. Today's membership stands at 16 National Association Members (representing 17 countries​​​​​), 25 Direct Company Members and 24 Affiliate Company Members. This represents more than 450 companies from across Europe.
×

Keep the info flowing with our eNewsletters!

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey & Sample
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing