Immediate action required following changes to EU Safety Data Sheets.
DEKRA safety experts advise on quick action on the changes within REACH for the production of EU Safety Data Sheets for solid substances coming into force on 1 Jan 2021
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has released a draft document for changes within REACH for the production of EU Safety Data Sheets (SDS’s) which now require dust explosion data. DEKRA safety experts warn that there is not much time to get ready for the new requirement. Chemical producers will immediately not only have to use the new guidance for new products but will also have to plan to update data for existing products within the next two years.
“Following the draft proposal, the Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/878 will come into force on 1st January 2021 and all new EU safety data sheets from this date will have to comply. For existing SDS’s there will be a two-year grace period applied. Data on the formation of explosible dust/air mixtures is critical safety data and understanding the changes does require expertise and time. We are already in discussions with many clients on how this will have an effect on their products and are providing guidance on the required tests in order to ensure they have, and understand, the new end point requirements for section 9.2.2. However, we worry there is a lot of organisations out there not realising the urgency as well as depth of this new requirement.
This is a very significant change and addition to existing requirements. Whilst limited gas and vapour flammability data has always been a requirement of REACH, this is the first time a specific requirement for a specified range of dust explosion data has been incorporated. It will need swift action for companies registering new products but also a clear action plan for those with a large existing portfolio of powdered, solid products in order to meet the deadlines.” says Daniel Baker, Global Director of Process Safety Testing, DEKRA Organisational and Process Safety.
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About DEKRA Organisational & Process Safety
DEKRA Organisational and Process Safety is a behavioural change and process safety consultancy company. Working in collaboration with our clients, our approach is to assess the process safety and influence the safety culture with the aim of ‘making a difference´. Our value-adding and practical approach integrates specialist process safety management, engineering and testing. We seek to educate and grow client competence to vide sustainable performance improvement; partnering with our clients we combine technical expertise with a passion for life preservation, harm reduction and asset protection. We are part of DEKRA SE, a global leader in safety since 1925 with over 45,000 employees in 60 countries and five continents. As a part of the world’s leading expert organisation DEKRA, we are the global partner for a safe world. We have offices throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.