UK REACH is part of the UK HSE (Health & Safety Executive)

The aims of UK REACH include:

  • To provide a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the use of chemicals.
  • To make the people who place chemicals on the market (manufacturers and importers) responsible for understanding and managing the risks associated with their use.
  • To promote the use of alternative methods for the assessment of the hazardous properties of substances eg quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) and read across.

REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals.
UK REACH applies to the majority of chemical substances; those used in industrial processes and daily life.
UK REACH places the burden of proof on companies. Companies are required to identify and manage the risks present by substances they manufacture and market in GB. They must be able to demonstrate how the substance can be used safely and they must communicate the risk management measures to the users.

  • To provide a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the use of chemicals.
  • To make the people who place chemicals on the market (manufacturers and importers) responsible for understanding and managing the risks associated with their use.
  • To promote the use of alternative methods for the assessment of the hazardous properties of substances eg quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) and read across.

REACH changes in 2023

On 14 June 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the 29th update of the REACH Candidate List. Two (2) new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) were added.

Bis (4-chlorophenyl) sulphone (BCPS)

Diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide

Isocyanates are powerful irritants to the mucous membranes of the eyes and gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Direct skin contact can cause marked inflammation.

Isocyanates can also sensitize workers, making them subject to severe asthma attacks if they are exposed again.

Changes in 2023

As part of ensuring the safe use of diisocyanates in the workplace, in August 2020 REACH Europe published in the Official Journal of the European Union a restriction on the handling of diisocyanates.

A mandatory new training requirement will be introduced for professional and industrial users of diisocyanates under the EU's REACH Regulation from 24 August 2023. This restriction has been adopted by UK authorities under GB REACH.

Any user of diisocyanate with a concentration over 0.1% - either the staff of the user or self-employed people - must complete and document the completion of the training. If you do not comply with this obligatory training, you will no longer be allowed to  work with diisocyanates.

The training level depends on the risk of exposure (no risk/ low risk/ increased risk):

  • General Training is required for ALL industrial and professional uses
  • Intermediate level Training is required for:
    • Handling open mixtures at ambient temperature (including foam spraying in a ventilated booth
    • Application by roller, by brush or by dipping and pouring
    • Mechanical post treatment (e.g., cutting) of not fully cured articles which are not warm anymore
    • Cleaning and waste treatment
  • Advanced Training is required for:
    • Handling incompletely cured articles (e.g., freshly cured, still warm)
    • Foundry applications
    • Maintenance and repair that needs access to equipment
    • Open handling of warm or hot formulations (> 45° C)
    • Spraying in open air, with limited or only natural ventilation (includes large industry working halls) and spraying with high energy (e.g., foams, elastomers)

An industry consortium has developed a training platform, in all official languages of the Member States, providing the training material in various ways:

  • Web based training (individual E learning)
  • Classroom training
  • Virtual classroom training

For all information about diisocyanates and their safe use, REACH restriction, training overview and the PU Exchange Panel, please consult ISOPA / ALIPA's website:
https:/ /www.safeusediisocyanates.eu/ diisocyanates-reach#joint-industry-effort
Should you have any questions, please contact your Notedome Sales Representative.