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Chennai, April 23 What chemicals go into the ink inside the pen or in the pouch one carries it in? What are the components in furniture glue? These are some sample questions exporters to the European Union will have to answer from next year, as the region implements new regulations of safety.

The new regulation, Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), is to replace the existing 42 directives. REACH is aimed at setting safety standards and protecting human health and environment.

“Except food and pharmaceutical industries, the rest do not know what substances are present in their product,” said Mr David Horlock, Vice-President, New Services Development, Bureau Veritas, a global quality and testing certification agency, known for its ISO certifications.

To help Indian exporters understand the requirements for compliance under REACH, Bureau Veritas is conducting seminars in Chennai, Bangalore and New Delhi.

Addressing exporters in Chennai, predominantly from the textile, leather and FMCG companies, Mr Horlock said REACH required companies to furnish not just data on bill of materials but also bill of substances that went into making each of those materials. For example, while exporting a shirt, there are five distinct materials — the main fabric, colour print, size tag, buttons and wash instructions tag. The colour print alone could use up to six substances. Exporters would have to register all this information with relevant documentation to the European Chemical Agency.

More Stories on : Exports & Imports | Tamil Nadu

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