REACH is the new European chemicals legislation under which all manufacturers and importers of chemicals must identify and manage risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market. For substances produced or imported in quantities of 1 tonne or more per year per company, manufacturers and importers need to demonstrate that they have appropriately done so by means of a registration dossier, which must be submitted to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

In this context, on 28^th November, the Malta Standards Authority (MSA) and MEUSAC organized a half-day conference entitled REACH-ing Industry – The New European Chemicals Legislation.  This Conference was held at the Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julians. The aim of this Conference was to inform stakeholders about the legal implications of the new chemical legislation which came into force on 1^st June 2008.

The Conference was opened by the Hon. Tonio Fenech, Minister for Finance, Economy and Investment. Dr. Vanni Xuereb, Head, MEUSAC delivered the closing address. Other speakers include Geert Dancet (Executive Director - European Chemicals Agency, Finland), Tristan Camilleri (Director, Regulatory Affairs Directorate – MSA), Ingrid Busuttil (Assistant Director Regulatory Affairs Directorate – MSA), Dr Helmut Witzani (Director - Competent Authority, Austria), Matthias Meder (Head of REACH Implementation – BASF, Germany) and Charles Saliba (Director - Institute of Cellular Pharmacology, Malta).