Regolamento REACH: gestione schede di sicurezza con Certiblok

The European chemical sector is governed by highly stringent regulations aimed at ensuring worker safety and environmental protection, one of which is Regolamento (CE) n. 1907/2006. Known as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals), it mandates that companies register, evaluate, authorize, and restrict the use of chemical substances. This includes providing constantly updated and detailed safety data sheets (SDS), containing accurate information on the risks associated with each substance and the management measures to ensure safe use. In this context, advanced digital tools like Certiblok are proving valuable in supporting companies in fulfilling these obligations while keeping SDS up-to-date and compliant with regulations.

Obligations of Chemical Companies under the REACH Regulation and Operational Challenges

Compliance with the REACH Regulation is essential for any company operating in the chemical sector, yet it involves significant challenges. Below are the primary requirements imposed by the regulation and the operational difficulties companies may encounter in meeting them.

Requirements and Updating of Safety Data Sheets

Each company is obligated to provide a safety data sheet (SDS) for hazardous substances, containing all risk information and preventive measures. However, REACH mandates that these SDS must be:

Continuously Updated: Any new information on risks or management measures must be promptly integrated.
Available in Multiple Languages: SDS must be accessible in each language required for the EU member states where the substance is marketed.

This process can become complex and costly, especially for companies managing a wide range of chemical substances or operating in multiple countries. Ensuring the traceability and continuous updating of SDS is crucial to avoid compliance errors, but without appropriate tools, maintaining all safety sheets up-to-date and accessible across the supply chain can be a challenging task.

Common Issues in REACH Compliance

In complying with REACH, companies face the following operational challenges:

SDS Version Management: With each update, companies must ensure that the most recent SDS version is distributed and accessible to all stakeholders. The risk is that outdated versions may accidentally remain in circulation, exposing companies to penalties.
Traceability of Distribution: Tracking who has access to each SDS and ensuring that all relevant parties (such as customers, suppliers, and safety personnel) have the latest version is essential.
Cross-Border Compliance: For companies with activities in multiple countries, they must also meet local requirements in addition to REACH. This means SDS must be adapted to local regulations, requiring specific expertise and ongoing monitoring.
Deadline Monitoring: SDS must be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure all information is valid. Without an effective monitoring system, companies risk overlooking these reviews, leading to non-compliance.

REACH Regulation Scope and Certiblok Use

The REACH regulation applies to a broader range of sectors beyond just chemicals. Any industry handling hazardous chemicals must ensure that these substances are accompanied by updated and accessible SDS. Key sectors impacted by REACH include:

Manufacturing: REACH ensures worker protection during the use of chemicals in production processes. Certiblok simplifies deadline tracking and the distribution of updated SDS, minimizing non-compliance risks.
Construction: For chemical mixtures like paints and adhesives, Certiblok enables efficient SDS updates, reducing risks for workers and the environment. With Certiblok’s Audit Room, sheets can be securely shared during project execution.
Automotive Industry: Certiblok provides tools to track SDS versions and monitor deadlines, preventing disruptions in the supply chain and ensuring information availability.
Agriculture and Food Industry: For chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers, Certiblok offers decentralized SDS management, speeding up safety information availability for all use stages.
Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Sector: With Certiblok, manufacturers can track every SDS version and receive deadline notifications, facilitating compliance without the risk of fines.
Trade and Distribution Industry: Even for companies distributing products containing hazardous chemicals, Certiblok enables centralized and secure SDS management, easing compliance for all business partners.

How Certiblok Supports REACH Compliance

Certiblok is an advanced platform for managing REACH-compliant documentation. Through specific functionalities, it meets compliance needs with precision and efficiency. Below are some main advantages of the Certiblok platform:

Advanced Versioning: Each SDS version is saved and tracked, allowing users to access change histories and ensuring only updated versions are in circulation.
Active and Secure Sharing: Certiblok enables real-time SDS sharing with all relevant parties. When a sheet is updated, the platform automatically notifies all users, reducing the risk of compliance errors.
Audit Room: Companies can create virtual spaces for audits, gathering all SDS for inspections, even for unannounced visits. This improves transparency and enables efficient management of audits.
Deadline Management: With Certiblok, deadline monitoring is simplified through timely notifications and an integrated calendar. Companies can manage all SDS deadlines and prevent delays in mandatory updates.
Blockchain Security: Certiblok’s blockchain technology decentralizes data storage, ensuring data integrity. Each document is encrypted with AES 256, and its authenticity is verifiable, eliminating tampering risks.

In an increasingly complex and stringent regulatory environment like REACH, using a secure and advanced platform like Certiblok offers companies a comprehensive solution for SDS management, regulatory compliance, and safeguarding their workforce.

Gianluigi Michelotto
Co Founder Certiblok

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