Monthly Briefing – April 2011 issue

In this month's briefing:

• Geraint Roberts hears how downstream users have their work cut out dealing with classification issues, revising product labels and getting to grips with eSDSs;

• Philippa Jones and Geraint Roberts provide case studies of three companies – BASF, AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry and Boots – preparing for the 2013 REACH registration deadline;

• Tony Stovold reports on an assessment by the UK Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association of the new EU cosmetics Regulation;

• Mamta Patel looks at how the OECD is exploring the idea of parallel notification of new chemicals in multiple countries;

• ECETOC secretary general Neil Carmichael tells Mamta Patel about the work and history of his organisation;

• Joel Tickner explains the work of US multi-stakeholder group the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council;

• recent research on the contamination of food with mineral oils from cardboard packaging made from recyclate showed how easily a supply chain can get caught in a health scare, reports Emma Davies;

• “Korea REACH” will be a key topic at ChemCon Asia 2011 in Hong Kong in June, says Mamta Patel;

• Dr REACH, Steffen Erler, gives his tips for preparing for REACH enforcement visits or audits;

• In this month's legal spotlight, Jean-Philippe Montfort and Aurore Martinat of law firm Mayer Brown explain how the chemical sector will be affected by the revision of the EU general product safety Directive;

• In the Guest Column spot, Chris Cathcart, president and ceo of the US Consumer Specialty Products Association, says his organisation is committed to reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).