REACH “Only Representative” It is important to note that Pre-registration and subsequently the Registration cannot be done by the Indian company that shall be implicated by REACH. Introduction The European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorization & Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Policy that has come into effect from the 1st June’ 2007, requires the Indian exporters of chemicals and chemical- embedded products to pre-register and then subsequently register the substance that they export into the European Union in amounts greater than 1ton per annum with a central European Chemical Agency (EChA). This is absolutely necessary if the Non-EU manufacturer, for example, an Indian manufacturer and exporter, wants to continue exporting to the European countries. Preserving confidential business information (CBI) of the company is the most perplexing and challenging aspect of REACH. The only representative provision, which enables a non-EU manufacturer to appoint an EU- based company or individual to fulfill the registration obligations that would otherwise fall on the EU importer, is an avenue that may offer relief to many non-EU chemical manufacturers that export chemicals, articles or chemical –embedded substances to the EU and also to the EU importer of these substances. Who is the “Only Representative”? The “only representative” can be an EU based company or an individual and is the only authorized legal entity to do the pre-registration and subsequent registration on behalf of the Indian companies exporting chemical and chemical embedded products to the European Union. “Only representative differs from the “sole representative” that many companies currently use “Only representative” differs from the “sole representative” that many companies currently use when exporting chemicals into the European Union to manage paper and ensure that a chemical's importation and distribution comply with relevant E.U. laws, but the responsibilities of an "only representative" are much broader. The Indian exporting companies individually or collectively (in case of companies exporting the same substance to Europe, shall have to appoint a legal entity, who shall be based in Europe and do the pre-registration and subsequently registration on their behalf. It is essential that the “only representative” should have the following qualifications: “Only representative” provides a way of dealing with confidentiality issues without giving up business interests in Europe • Sufficient background in the practical handling of substances and the information related to them • Shall keep available and up-to-date information on quantities imported and the European customers who have been sold that substance • Have information on the latest updates to the safety data sheet of substances that he is responsible for registering The only representative shall have to fulfill all the obligations applicable to the European importer. In certain cases, the European importer may also act as the “only representative” for the non-EU suppliers. If the “only representative” is appointed by a non-EU supplier, for e.g. an Indian exporter, it is the duty of the Indian exporter to inform his importer of the appointment of the “only representative”. Advantages offered by the “Only Representative” A non EU manufacturer may choose to appoint an only representative, rather than have their importer register the substances, in order to have more control over the registration process without having to disclose potentially sensitive information to an importer. For EU importers this may have advantages, if the non EU manufacturer nominates an only representative to register the substances they export to the EU, the importer will be relieved from the obligation to act as the registrant under REACH and will be regarded as a downstream user. “Only representative” provides a way of dealing with confidentiality issues without giving up business interests in Europe and ensures that the name of a company is not disclosed to other manufacturers, importers or downstream users How can “REACH Support” help you! REACH support can facilitate only representative services through it’s representatives in Europe. Towards this, it has developed a commercial package. For queries and services related to the “Only Representative” Please Contact REACH Support Expert Compliance Advisory Service for Indian Industries 301, 3rd Floor, “Samved Sankul”, Near MLA Hostel, Civil Lines, Nagpur – 440001, Tel: +91-712-2552725/26 Telefax: +91-712-2562723 Website: www.reach-support.com Email:[email protected], [email protected]
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