Early REACH registration for nickel metal and nickel sulphate
April 7, 2010 -- The Nickel Institute today announced the successful REACH registration of nickel metal and nickel sulphate, eight months before the registration deadline.
The two extremely large dossiers, that include a host of references and chemical safety reports for both
nickel metal and nickel sulphate, were successfully submitted to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) at the
end of March 2010, well before the deadline of 1 December 2010.
Stephen Barnett, President of the Nickel Institute, commented: “The early registration of Nickel metal and
Nickel sulphate under REACH represents a major achievement for the Nickel Consortia of producers, importers
and downstream users, the lead registrants and the entire nickel industry. It was made possible by the
dedicated teamwork of all participants and by the technical and strategic support received from the ECHA
during the registration process.”
Although achieving early registration was challenging, since, under REACH, a great deal of time-consuming
communication and interaction was required with member companies such as nickel producers and importers, and
downstream users such as the stainless steel, alloy, plating and catalyst industries, the Nickel Institute
reports that early registration has been a worthwhile, and educative, experience for all contributors to the
process.
The registrants noted that the recently-updated IUCLID 5.2 software was easier to use to submit data to the
ECHA than the previous version, and found the REACH-IT system equally user-friendly in effecting the
registration.
This successful early registration means that companies interested in participating in joint submission of
data on a substance they wish to be registered are invited to contact the Nickel REACH Consortia at reach@nickelinstitute.org, or visit its website at www.nickelconsortia.org.
-ENDS-
Notes to editors
1. For further information please contact Steve Barnett, Nickel Institute President, sbarnett@nickelinstitute.org or telephone: +32
22903210.
2. The Nickel Institute is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of the companies that
together produce more than 90% of global annual nickel output. The Institute was established in 2004, through
the merger of the Nickel Development Institute (NiDI), the Nickel Producers Environmental Research
Association (NiPERA) and the European Nickel Group (ENiG). Website: www.nickelinstitute.org
3. The Nickel Consortia was set up by the Nickel Institute to help companies with their obligations under
REACH registration. Website: www.nickelconsortia.org
4. REACH is the European Union (EU) Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of
Chemicals that came into force on 1st June 2007. It aims to protect human health and the environment from the
use of chemicals..
